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MASHA'IKHECHISHT
INTRODUCTION Thisbookwhichispresentedtoreaders,containsthenamesandlifeepisodes ofsuchnobleAuliyaandMashaikhwhoseexistenceconstitutesanimat (divinefavour)andwhoseverymentionisarahmat(divinemercy)fortheworld. TheyhavereachedAllahandtheydeliverotherstoAllah(i.e.theyareboth WaasililallaahandMsililallaah).Mostaptlydoesthefollowinggracious QuraanicaayatapplytotheseillustriousSouls: ThosefirstoneswhohavetakentheleadamongtheMuhaajireenand theAnsaarandthosewhohavefollowedthemwiththefirmestconvictionof Imaan(Ihsaan),Allahiswellpleasedwiththemandtheyarewellpleasedwith Him. TheywerethetrueandperfectMumins.TheywereexcellentMuslims. InrealitytheyweretheslavesofAllah.Theyfullyfulfilledthedesigndeclared intheaayat: IhavenotcreatedjinnandmanexceptthattheyworshipMe. However,inviewofthesepagesemergingfromthepenofanonentityofdeficient righteousness,they(thesepages)donotdeservepresentationtofriends.Hence, thewrittenmanuscripthadlaidaroundforaconsiderableperiodoftime. Ishallbrieflyexplainthecircumstanceswhichconstrainedmetoengage inwritingthisbook.AlthoughIhadacquiredthegreaterpartofmyacademic knowledgestudyingundermyfather(MayAllahbrightenhisabodeofrest), asubstantialsegmentofacademicknowledgewasacquiredintheMadrasahunder theblessedshadowoftheMashaikhoftheMadrasah.Whenmystudies nearedcompletion,anaturaldesiretoaidtheMadrasahdevelopedinme.I thoughtthatifIcannotfinanciallyassistonaccountofthelackofmonetary means,Icouldatleastaidbypresentingawrittentreatiseontheconditions andprogressoftheMadrasah.Inmakingsuchapresentationtothepeopleof goodwill,Ishallatleastbecomeonewhodirectstowardsgoodness. SinceIhadnotasyetwrittenabook,Iinitiatedmyprogramofwriting forthesakeofbarkat,withtheChishtiMashaikh.Everylinkinthis illustriousChainofMashaikhisasourceofvirtueandblessing.From themgenerateanwaar(divineillumination)andspiritualeffects.Thewriting ofthistreatisewasinterruptedwiththecommencementofanotherbook,TaarikheMazaahir (TheHistoryoftheMadrasahMazaaharalUloom).Thereafter(i.e.evenbefore completingthesecondbook)IengagedinwritingBazlulMajhoodandAujazul Masalik.Involvementwiththelattertwowritingsdidnotpermitme tocompletetheformertwo.Theconsiderabletimelapsedissipatedmyhope andenthusiasmfortheaccomplishmentoftheformertwowritings.However, noonecanestimatethelimitlessbountiesofAllahTaala.Thegrace andkindnessofAllahTaalaarenotdependentonanyonesqualification andability.
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InsubmissiontotheinstructionofoneofmyseniorsIhadtopreparea briefcompilationof40Ahadith.Thewideandintensiveacceptanceofthis compilationencouragedmyfriendstoinsistonthepublicationoftheincomplete manuscript(i.e.MashaikheChisht).Inolongercherishedthehope ofcompletingthebookduetotheinavailabilityoftime.Thedeficiencyin themanuscriptwasonlythatmanyaccountshadnotyetbeenwritten.Toaccomplish this,itwasnecessarytorefertocertainbooksofhistory.However,this wasnotsuchadeficiencywhichwouldrenderthebookfutile.Hence,Idid notopposetheideaofitspublicationinitsexistingform.I,therefore, handedforpublicationthemanuscriptafteraddingthisbriefintroduction. Intheinitialwriting,theintroductionwasverylengthy.Itconsistedof thepurposeofthebookandtheliteraryservicesoftheAkaabireen(Senior Ulama).Forthesakeofbrevity,theseweredeleted. Beforepresentingtheactualsubject,Iwishtomakeanecessaryrequest toreaders.Firstly,historicalnarrationandfactsarenotentirelyasauthentic andreliableasthenarrativesofKnowledge.Secondly,thelifestoriesof theMashaikharecaughtbetweentwogroupsofextremiststheir devoteesandtheirenemies.Itisforthisreasonthatoftentherealityof eventspertainingtotheMashaikhbecomesblurred.Therefore,ifany anecdoteoftheMashaikhisfoundtobeinconflictwiththeShariah, thentofollowwillnotbepermissiblenorisitpermissibletospeakorthink illoftheaugustpersontowhomtheincidentisrelated.


MytaufeeqiswithonlyAllah.ItrustonHimandtowardsHimdoIturn(in repentance). MuhammadZakariyyaKandhalwi* 24thRabiuthThaani1349Hijri Theaforegoingintroductionwaswritten43yearsagointheyear1349in thehopeofpublishingthisbook.Fate,however,didnotpermitpublication atthattime.Nowmygrandson(daughtersson),MolviShahid(May Allahpreservehiminsafety)ispublishingit.MayAllahTaalagrant itwideandintensiveacceptance.MayHemakeitbeneficialandmayAllahTaala grantinfullmeasurethebarkatoftheseillustriousMashaikh(May Allahhavemercyonthem). MuhammadZakariyya 5thShabaan1392(Friday) *HadhratShaikhulHadithMaulanaMuhammadZakariyyarahmatullahalayhofMazaaharalUloom, Sahaaranpur,India.Translator.

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THESHAJARAH
ThepurposeofthistreatiseistodiscusstheMashaikhoftheundermentionedShajarah(Spiritual Tree).TheprimemotivefortheSulahaa(thepiousAuliya)istheacquisitionofRahmat(divine mercy).Itisquiteobviousthatitisdisrespectfulforonespirituallydestituteineveryrespecttowrite abouttheillustriousAuliya. TheShajarahisofHadhratAqdas,Qutbulalam,Murshide lam,MaulanaGangohi (Nawwarallaahamarqadahu). (TheShajarahisintheformofapoem.Duetotheinabilityofthetranslatortopresentanauthentic translationofthepoem,onlythenamesofthenobleMashaikhintheShajaraharepresented Translator).

TheaimofrecitingtheShajarahistawassul(tosupplicatetoAllahformercythroughthemediumof theseillustriousnames).Hence,itisappropriatetobeginfromthelowestoneintheShajarah progressingtothehighest.IfthemediumofRasulullah()istakenfirst,thenthereis noneedtociteanyoneelse.Sincethelifeconditionswillnowbenarrated,itisnecessaryto commencewiththeblessednarrationofRasulullah(.)

SAYYIDULQAUNAIN,KHAATAMUN NABIYEEN()
ItisanundeniablefactthatforeventhebriefestdiscussionontheadorableattributesofNabie Kareem(,)largevolumesareinadequate.Noneofthedepartmentsofhislife,beit hischaracter,habits,ibaadat,socialconduct,excellencies,miracles,etc.,canbepresentedwith justice.Toencompasshislifeisimpossible.Thus,purelyforthesakeofbarkatwillIpresentafew dropletsfromthisoceanoftreasures. HisblessednameisMuhammad(.)Itisthenamechosenbyhispaternalgrandfather. HismothernamedhimAhmad.Besidesthesetwonames,heisknownbymanyothernamesand titles,theenumerationofwhichisbeyondthescopeofthistreatise.InMawaahib,Allamah Qustulanihasindicatedmorethan400nameswhileIbnDahyanarratesthataccordingtosome Sufiyaathenumberreachesathousand. ThefollowingisthefamilytreeofRasulullah(:) Muhammad,thesonofAbdullah,thesonofAbdulMuttalib,thesonofHashim,thesonofAbd Manaaf,thesonofQusay,thesonofKilaab,thesonofMurrah,thesonofKab,thesonofLuway, thesonofGhalib,thesonofFahr,thesonofMaalik,thesonofAnNasr,thesonofKinaanah,the sonofKhuzaimah,thesonofMudrikah,thesonofIlyaas,thesonofMudhir,thesonofNazzaar,the sonofMad,thesonofAdnaan. UntilthispointthelineageisrecordedinBukhariShareef.Thereisunanimityonthisview. However,somebooksofhistoryrecordtheancestryrightuntil dam(alayhissalaam).

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AllhistoriansunanimouslyaverthattheblessedbirthofRasulullah()wason MondayinthemonthofRabiulAwwal.Withregardtothedate,therearetwoversions.Accordingto oneviewhisdateofbirthis8thRabiulAwwal.Theotherversionis12thRabiulAwwalcoinciding with29thAugust570CE.WhileRasulullah()wasstillinthewombofhismother, hisfatherpassedawayattheageof25yearsandsomemonths. Everymiraculouseventandepisodepertainingtohisbirthandupbringingiscaptivating.Every anecdoteisworthyofmentioning.But,alas!Thisisbeyondthescopeofthisconcisetreatise.Itis, however,essentialtomentionthathisupbringingwasunlikethatofotherchildren.Duringhis secondmonthhebegantoconversebysigns.Inthefourthmonthhebeganstandingonhislegs.By theendoftheyearhecouldfullywalkandspeak. AttheendofthethirdyearwhenhisRidhaaimother(MilkMotherwhobreastfedhim),Halimah hadtoreturnhimtohismother,she(Halimah)understoodtherebytheterminationofallthespecial blessingswhichshehadsoconspicuouslyobservedandexperiencedduringhis3yearstaywithher. Obtaininghismothersconsent,shetookhimwithforanotherfewdays.However,onreachingher homewhentheepisodeofShiqqeSadroccurred,shewasstruckwithfear.Thinkingthatsomething untowardmaybefallthechild,shereturnedhimtohismother.(ShiqqeSadristhemiraculousevent oftwoangelstakingawaythelittleboyMuhammadandremovinghisheartafter aphysicaloperation.ThisepisodeisdescribedindetailinHadithliterature). TheblessedbreastofRasulullah()wascutopenonfouroccasions.Thefirst occasionwaswhilehewasinthecustodyofhisfostermother,Halimahasmentionedabove.The secondoperationoccurredwhenhewas10yearsold.Thiseventtranspiredinthedesert.Thethird occasionwasatthetimeofbeingconferredwithRisaalat(Prophethood).IthappenedintheCaveof HiraaeitherduringthemonthofRamadhaanorRabiulAwwal.Thefourthoccasionwasonthenight ofMiraaj. ShahAbdulAziz(Nawwarallahumarqadahu)elaboratedonthissubjectingreatdetailwhile presentingthetafseerofSurahAlamNashrah.Thosewhowishtoknowmoreabouttheseepisodes shouldrefertothedetailedelaborationwhichisalsotobefoundinthesecondvolumeofLaamiud Daraari(alsobyShaikhZakariyyatranslator).ThetwelvestagesofRasulullahsblessedheartare alsoexplainedinthedetailedtafseer.Thepurposeunderlyingeachoperationisalsoexplained. Iamastonishedattheamazementwhichsomeclaimantsofintelligencedisplayonaccountofthe operationscarriedoutontheheartofRasulullah(.)Infact,Iregardthemas rejectors.Suchoperationsoccurinabundanceinhospitals.Itisindeedastonishing!The nonMuslimsareabletocarryoutsuchoperations,but(thesesceptics)thinkthattheMalaaikahof AllahTaalaareunable.Ofgreaterastonishmentistheirinabilitytocomprehendthediffusionof Imaan,energyandwisdomintotheheartdespitetheiracceptanceofthecapabilityofelectrical machinesgeneratingphysicalenergyintothebody. Itisnotmyintentionheretodiscussthemujizaat(miraculousevents)ofNabieKareem( .)Theaimismerelytopresentafewexamplesofthemujaahadaat(spiritualexercises)and blessedhabitsofRasulullah(,)whicharethefountainfromwhichgushoutthe mujaahadaatandabundanceofibaadaatofthehonourableSufiyaa(rahmatullahalayhim). ItisdifficulttoenumerateeventhehardshipswhichRasulullah()hadtobearevenin childhood.Beforehisbirth,hisfatherhaddied.Attheageof6,hisbelovedmotheralsopassed

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away.Hisgrandfather,AbdulMuttalibthentookhimunderhiscare.Butaftertwoyears,twomonths andtendayswhenRasulullah()was8yearsold,hisgrandfatheralsosaidfarewellto thisearthlyabode. Thosewhohavechildrenwillbeabletounderstandthesesadeventswhichoccurredinquick succession.However,inrelationtothepersecutionswhichwereinstoreforhiminthefuture,these childhoodhardshipswereinsignificant. Rasulullah()fromearlychildhoodwastherepositoryofsterlingqualities.Mercy, kindness,honesty,truth,goodbehaviour,straightforwardness,philanthropy,patriotism,justice,etc. werehispraiseworthyattributes.Hewasfamedforhisuprighteouscharacter.ThetitleofAlAmeen (TheHonest)wasawardedtohim.Elderlypeoplehonouredhim.ThroughoutMakkahitwas commonknowledgethatMuhammad()hadneverspokenaliehadnotcommitted breachoftrustdidnotcastanevilgazeonanywomanneverslanderedanyone,neverspoke abruptlyordishonourablywithanyone.Byvirtueofhisnoblecharactereveryonelovedhim. Afterthedemiseofhisgrandfather,hewasplacedinthecareofhispaternaluncle,AbuTalib.Abu Talibhadnumerousdependants.Hewasveryhospitableandgenerous.Inaddition,hehadthestatus ofachieftain.Thefinancialburdenwas,therefore,heavyonhim.Rasulullah()atthe ageof9,accompaniedAbuTalibonatradejourneytoSyria.However,alongtheroutewhenthey metBaheerah,theraahib(monk),headvisedthattheboybesentbackandnottakentoShaam (Syria)becausetheJewsposedathreattohim.Whenhewas25yearsold,hewentwiththe merchantcaravanofHadhratKhadijahtoShaam.Onhisreturn,hehandedhisshareoftheprofitsto hisuncle.Thiswasonlynaturalforoneofsuchsterlingcharacter. TheverysameyearhemarriedHadhratKhadijah(radhiyallahuanha)whowas40yearsold.Hewas only25.Thosewhoareconfusedandentertainbaselessideasregardingthepluralityofhismarriages shouldponder.Thisoneincidentissufficienttodispelallconfusion.Whenhehadspenthisyouth withanageingwidow,thenmostcertainly,thenumberofmarriageshecontractedinlaterlifewas motivatedbysomeDeeniexpedient.Thatmotivewastheunificationofthedifferenttribesand familieswithwhomhisrelationshiphadbeencreatedbyvirtueofthesemarriages.Thisfacilitated theirentryintoIslam. HadhratKhadijah(radhiyallahuanha)borehimfourdaughtersandthreesons.Accordingtosome versions,foursons.ThenamesofthedaughterswereHadhratRuqayyah,HadhratZainab,Hadhrat UmmeKulthoomandHadhratFaatimah.ThenamesofthesonswereHadhratAbdullah,Hadhrat Tayyib,HadhratTaahirandHadhratQaasim.Oneotherson,HadhratIbraahimwasborninMadinah Munawwarah. BesidesHadhratFaatimah,Rasulullah()hadtobeartheseparationofallhis children.Thesonsallpassedawayininfancy.Alongwiththegriefofthedemiseofhischildrenhe hadtocopewiththeridiculeoftheignorantArabswhomockinglycalledhimamanwithouttailon accountofhavingnomaleissue. AsthetimeofRasulullahsNubuwwatapproached,hedevelopedanincreasingyearningfor solitude.Helovedtobealone.HewouldfrequentlyseektherefugeoftheCaveofHira,threemiles fromMakkah.Hewouldtakethebarestprovisionoffoodwithhim.HewouldremainintheCavein contemplationformanydaysatatime.HeengrossedhimselfinHamd,Thana,TasbeehandTahleel. Whenhisfoodwasdepleted,hewouldgobacktoMakkah,butonlytoreturntotheCave.During

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themonthofRamadhaan,hewouldtakehiswifeandchildrenalong.ThewholeofRamadhaan wouldbespentthere. Sixmonthspriortonubuwwat,commencedtheincidenceoftruedreamsinabundance.These dreamswerecrystalclearandwouldmaterializeexactlyashesawthem.Often,whilewanderingin themountains,hewouldhearAssalamuAlaikaYaRasulullah!comingfromstonesandtrees. Duringthistime,afterhehadgainedtheabilitytobeartheweightofWahibyvirtueofhissolitude andcontemplation,HadhratJibraeel(alayhissalaam)appearedtohimintheCavewiththeinitial versesofSurahIqrainscribedonasilkencloth,Theseverseswere:

Thereisdifferenceofopinionregardingthemonthandexactdate.WasitinRamadhaanorRabiul Awwal?TheauthorofMajmaulBihaarnarratesfiveversionsinthisregard.TheAngelinstructed himtorecitetheinscription.Rasulullah()respondedthathewasunabletorecite. TheAngelembracedhimwithsuchforcewhichmadehimperspireprofusely.Theembraceofthe Angelcausedhimmuchstress.TheAngelagaininstructedhimtorecite.Rasulullah( )againdeclaredhisinabilitytoread.TheAngelonceagainembracedhim.Thisprocesswas repeatedthreetimes.Onthefourthoccasionwheninstructedtoread,Rasulullah() recitedfluently. ThecommentatorshavetenderedavarietyofreasonsfortheAngelsembrace.However,inhis Tafseer,HadhratShahAbdulAzizpresentsasubtleinterpretation.Hesaysthatthepurposeofthe embracewastotransferangelicabilityandpowertoRasulullah(.)Regardingsuch transferenceofspiritualandcelestialenergyandability,knowntotheMashaikhasTawajjuh,there arefourkinds: 1.Iniqaasi(Reflectory):AnexampleofthiskindofTawajjuhisthatofapersonwhohasappliedan abundanceofperfume.Hetransfershisfragrancetothegatheringinwhichhehappenstobe. However,theeffectofthefragrancewillremainaslongasheispresentinthegathering.Thisis, therefore,theweakestformofTawajjuh. 2.Ilqaai(Inspirational):Itsexampleislikeapersonpreparingalampforlighting.Hecleansthe lamp,fillstheoilandlightsit.Thistypehasgreaterefficacythanhefirstkind.Theeffectremains evenafterthedepartureoftheonewhoeffectedtheTawajjuh.However,aslightimpediment terminatesit. 3.Islaahi(Reformatory):Thisislikeahugemassofwaterhavingaccumulatedinaplaceanda pathwayisdugforthewater.Theflowofthewateralongitscoursewillwashawayslightobstacles. Butifthecourseisblockedoffatsomeplacetheflowofthewaterdownitscoursewillbeblocked. Thistypeisstrongerthanthefirsttwokinds. 4.Ittihaadi(Unification):InthistypeofTawajjuh,theShaikhdiffuseshisroohintotheroohofthe mureedtosuchadegreethatbothsoulsareunitedintoasinglesoul.Itisquiteobviousthatthisform ofTawajjuhisthestrongest.Asaresultoftheunificationofthetwosouls,themureedisnotinneed ofrepeatedlyseekingspiritualgain.TheSufiyaaregardthisformofTawajjuhtobeofgreat importancealthoughitsincidenceisrare.

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TheepisodeofHadhratKhwajahBaqiBillahinthisregardisfamous.HadhratShahAbdulAzizhas narratedthatonceseveralguestswerebyHadhratBaqiBillah.Buttherewasnothingbywayoffood inhishome.Withthisconcernhecameoutofthehouse.Nearbywasabakery.Whenthebaker learntofthearrivaloftheguestshepresentedsomeelaboratelypreparedfood.Outofsheerelation, Hadhratsaidtothebaker:Askwhateveryouwishfor.Thebakerreplied:Makemelikeyou. Hadhratreplied:Youwillnotbeabletobearit.But,thebakerinsistedthathebemadelike Hadhrat.Afterrefusingseveraltimes,theadamanceofthebakerfinallyprevailed.Hadhrattookthe bakerintohisroomandcastTawajjuhIttihaadionhim.Whentheyemergedfromtheroom,the Tawajjuhhadpermeatedevenhisexternalappearance.Thebakersappearancewasidenticaltothat ofHadhrat.However,thedifferencewasHadhratsconsciousnessandalertnesswhilethebakerwas inastateofsemiconsciousness.Onthethirddaywhileinthisstateofsemiconsciousness,the bakerdied.MayAllahsmercybeonhim. ItwasthistypeofTawajjuhIttihaadiwhichJibraeel(alayhissalaam)castonRasulullah( )withhisembrace.However,Rasulullah()wasalreadyspirituallyfortified, hencehehadtheabilitytoabsorbtheTawajjuhofJibraeel(alayhissalaam).Nevertheless,the Angelsrepeatedembracemadehimfeverish.OnreachinghomeheexclaimedtoHadhratKhadijah: Wrapmeup!Wrapmeup!Afterregaininghiscomposure,henarratedtoherhisexperienceinthe Cave.Headdedthathefearedforhislife.HadhratKhadijah,havingheardofsuchoccurrencesfrom herbrother,WarqahBinNaufal,wasexpectingsomesupernaturalenactmentinregardto Muhammad(.)She,therefore,consoledhim,saying:Youarekindtochildren.You aremercifultowidows.Youalwaysspeakthetruth.Youhavealwaysdefendedthetruth.Everyone isawareofyoursterlingqualitiesandhighmoralcharacter.Yourhospitality,concernforthepoor andpatriotismwillshowgoodresults.Therefore,fearnot. HadhratKhadijahthenwenttoWarqahBinNaufalanddescribedthewholeeventtohim.Warqah wasanexpertofJudaismandChristianity.Whenheheardthestory,heexclaimed:Quddus! Quddus!ThisisthesameNaamooswhowouldcometoHadhratMsa(alayhissalaam).Warqahthen heardRasulullah()recountingthewholeepisode.Kissingthemubaarak(blessed) foreheadofNabieKareem(,)Warqahsaid: Fearnot.ThemantleofNubuwwathasbeenconferredtoyou.YouaretheNabimentionedinthe heavenlyScriptures.IwishIwouldbealiveandyoungtoaidyouatthetimewhenyourpeoplewill beexpellingyou. Insurprise,Rasulullah()asked: What!Willthesepeopleexpelme? Warqahsaid:Yes.WheneveraNabicamewithTauhidandRisaalat,hewasinitiallyconfronted withhatred. LaterthesewordsofWarqahmaterialized.IthappenedjustasWarqahhadpredicted. Initially,Rasulullah()propagatedTauhidinsecret.Butwhenheincreasedhistabligh activitybytheday,theKuffaarofMakkahbecamehostile.AsthenascentTauhidmovementgained followers,theflamesofenvyandhatredofthekuffaargainedfurtherimpetus.AlthoughAbuTalib wouldaidRasulullah(,)thekuffaardidnotrefrainfromhostilityandinflictionof hardshipsandpersecution. Beingextremelyfewinnumber,theMuslimsperformedtheiribaadatinitiallyinsecret.Whenevera kaafirwouldseetheMuslimsengaginginibaadat,hewouldmock,jeerandevenresorttoviolence. AbuSufyaan,thechiefofBaniUmayya,wasanimplacablefoeoftheMuslims.Heinflictedsevere
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torturesonthosewhoenteredthefoldofIslam.Theywouldbelaidonthehotdesertsandswith heavybouldersplacedontheirbreasts.Undersuchtortureweretheygiventhechoiceofrenouncing Islamandtoworshipidolsortotaketheroadofagruesomedeath. ForthreeyearsRasulullah()andhiscompanionssustainedthetablighmissionin secrecyandunderpersecution.TheycontinuedworshippingAllahTaalainconcealment.Afterthree yearswasrevealedthisgraciousaayat: And,warnyourcloserelatives. Althoughhewasapprehensiveonaccountoftherebellionofhisnation,hehadtoexecutethe commandofAllahTaala.He,therefore,madearrangementsfordawattohisrelatives.Hethus invitedallhisrelatives.Onthefirstoccasiontherewasnoneedtoutteraword.Thefactthatavery smallquantityoffoodsufficedforfortypeoplewasasufficienteyeopenerandanindicationof Muhammads()rank.Thismiraculousdisplayshouldhaveservedtocreatea relationshipwiththeDeenbroughtbyhim.Onthecontrary,AbuLahabtakingallwithhim,mocked thatMuhammad()hadbewitchedthefood. Heinvitedthemagainasecondtime.ThechiefsofQuraishwereinvited.Aftermeals,Rasulullah ()presentedhismessageinthemostaffectionatemanner.Heexhortedthemtoaccept thebeliefofTauhidandtorenounceshirk.But,theunfortunateAbuLahabmockinglysaidtoAbu Talib: AbuTalib!Thisnephewofyours,whoismorebelovedtoyouthanyourownchildren,saysthatwe shouldobeyhimandbecomehisfollowers. Sosaying,theyallmockedandleft.Onthisoccasionwasrevealedtheverse: Besteadfastinwhatyouhavebeencommanded(todo). ThisaayatcommandedRasulullah()tohenceforthembarkontablighpublicly. Hence,hewenttoMountSafafromwherehecalledallthekuffaarofMakkahbytheirtribalnames. AccordingtothecustomoftheArabs,theyallgathered.Rasulullah()firstasked:If Isaythatanenemyisabouttoattackyouandishidingbehindthismountain,willyoubelieveme? Allrepliedthattheywouldbelievehimbecausetheyneverknewhimtospeaklies.Then,hewarned themofAllahspunishment.Thekuffaarwhohadaminuteagoacknowledgedhistruthandhonesty beganmockinghim.Inafitofrage,AbuLahabsaid:Mayyoubedestroyed.Haveyougatheredus forthis? Thegatheringthendispersed.Ateveryconceivableplaceobstacleswereputinhispath.Hehadto facehardshipsandgreatpersecution.Thekuffaarinitiatedaseriesofconspiraciestopreventthe spreadofMuhammads()mission.AbuLahabswifewhowasAbuSufyaanssister wouldgatherthornsandscattertheseinthepathwhereRasulullah()walkedatnight. EverykindofpersecutionwasinflictedonRasulullahstwodaughterswhoweremarriedtothesons ofAbuLahab.ThesemarriagestookplacebeforeRasulullah()commencedthe propagationofTauhid.FinallyAbuLahabcompelledhissonstodivorcebothdaughterssoasto increasethedistressofNabieKareem(.) AbuTalibtriedineverywaytoaidRasulullah(,)butbeingalonehecouldnotdo much.Furthermore,hetoohaddissociatedhimselffromthisnewreligion.Oncealargegroupof

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kuffaarcametomeetAbuTalibanddemandedthatheeitherbansMuhammad() frompropagatinghisMessageorhehandshimovertothem.AbuTalibwasinadilemma.Hecould notabandonMuhammad()whowasentrustedtohiscarebythelastwasiyyatofhis father,AbdulMuttalib.Suchabetrayalwasintotalconflictwithhisloftycharacter.Butatthesame timehecouldnotrefusetherepeateddemandsofthekuffaardeputations.He,therefore,called Muhammad()andimploredthatheabandonshismission.However,Rasulullah( )respondedwithgreatconvictionandfirmness: Omyuncle!IftheKuffaarputthesuninmyonehandandthemooninmyotherhand,Ishallnot desistfrommymission.EitherAllahJalleShaanuhuaccomplishestheworkoftheDeenorI becomemartyred. Rasulullah()hadnowunderstoodhisunclesinabilitytoprotecthim,buttherewas nochangeinhis(Rasulullahs)confidenceandcomposure. AstheMessageofRasulullah()spread,sodidthewrathofthekuffaarofMakkah increase.TheyleftnostoneunturnedintheirpersecutionofanyMuslimonwhomtheymanagedto laytheirhands.TheywouldspeciallyselectthetimeofNamaaztopersecuteRasulullah( .)OncewhilehewasperformingNamaaz,agroupofkuffaarloadedtheintestinesandtripeofa camelonhisblessedbackwhilehewasinSajdah.Hewasabletoriseonlywithgreatdifficulty. Theyexpressedtheirmirthwithloudlaughterwhenhecouldnotlifthishead.Alongtheroad,they wouldstrikehimwithstonesandthrowimpuritiesathim.Theyplottedtokillhimandwerealways engaginginconspiraciesagainsthim. FromthetreatmentwhichtheymetedouttoRasulullah()couldbegaugedthe hardshipswhichtheyinflictedonhiscompanions.Insofarasthecompanionswereconcerned,there wasnoimpedimenttopreventthem(i.e.thekuffaar).HadhratBilal(radhiyallahuanhu)woulddaily belaidonhisbackontheburningsandatmiddayandbepiercedwiththorns.Averyheavyboulder wouldbeplacedonhisbreast.Hecould,therefore,notevenmoveundertheheavyrockwhile burningonthesandandpiercedbythorns.Firewouldbelitonallsidessothatheperishesinsuch torturouscircumstances.HewasgiventhechoiceofrenouncingImaanordeathundersuchextreme torture.Whenallthistorturewasinvain,theyshackledhimwithchainsatnightandtookturnsto floghimtocreateopenwoundswhichwouldgivehimexcruciatingpainthenextdaywhenhehadto undergotheroutinetortureinthehotsun.But,fromthetongueofthissinceredevoteeofAllahwas heardnothingbesidesAhad!Ahad!(AllahisOne!AllahisOne!). SimilartortureswereinflictedonHadhratAmmar(radhiyallahuanhu)andhisfather,HadhratYasir (radhiyallahuanhu).Asaresultofthesetortures,HadhratYasirdiedwithinafewdays.AbuJahal murderedHadhratAmmarsmotherbypiercingaspearintoherprivateorgan.Neithercould Rasulullah()oranyoneelsedoanythingtoaidtheseoppressedMuslims.Itwasthe timeofgreatpatience. InthesefewpagesIhavebeenunabletorecordeveninbriefthesacrificesandextremehardships Rasulullah()hadtobearinthepropagationoftheDeen.Thisinabilityofmine appliestoagreaterdegreeinregardtothelifestoriesofthenumerousSahaabah.Firstly,thepen shudders.Secondly,everysentencewrittenwillincreasethevolumeofthebook.Ifearthatmy respectedbrethrenwillnotfindtimetoperuseabulkyvolume.Furthermore,ifthebooksprice becomeshighonaccountofitssize,everyonewillnotpurchaseit.Itisnotthegoodfortuneof everyonetospendmoneyforthesakeoftheDeen.Yes,everyoneis,however,bythemeansto

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purchaseanynumberofcinematickets. WhenthepersecutionandhardshipsontheSahaabahexceededallbounds,Rasulullah( )permittedthemtomigratetoseekrefugeinsomeotherplace.ManyofthemleftforHabshah (Abyssinia).ThekingofHabshah,Ashimah,whosetitlewasNajashi,grantedthemasylumand protection.Theypassedtheirdaysincomforthere.ThiswasthefirstmigrationtoHabshah,which occurredinRajabofthefifthyearofNubuwwat.Thegroupconsistedof11or12malesand4or5 females.ThesecondgroupwhichdepartedforHabshahconsistedof83malesand18females.This isknownasthesecondmigrationtoHabshah.OutofsheerstupiditythekuffaarofMakkah attemptedtoextendtheirpersecutionoftheSahaabahtoevenHabshah. WhiletheSahaabahwereallowedtomigrate,Rasulullah()remainedbehindin Makkahundergoingtheseveresttrialsandpersecutionfor6fullyears.Onthe1stMuharramofthe 7thyearofNubuwwat,thekuffaarofMakkahschemedanewplanofpersecution.Rasulullah( )alongwithhisentirefamilywereimprisonedinavalley,ShabAbiTalib.Atotal boycottwasputintoeffect.Theywerenotallowedtoemergefromthevalley.Neitherwerethey permittedtoprocureanyfoodfromoutsidenorwasanyonepermittedtoenterthevalleywithany provisions.Afterashortwhilewhentheirlittlefoodrationsweredepleted,oneperiodofstarvation followedanother.Womenandchildrenwereindirestraitsasaresultofstarvation. Thepledgewhichthekuffaarhadmadewithregardtotheimprisonmentandembargowasnota verbalonenorwasittheplanofafew.AllthechiefsofMakkahhadsignedthedocumentimposing theembargoandimprisonment.ThescribeofthisdocumentwasMansrIbnIkramahAbadri.The punishmentwhichAllahTaalainflictedonhimwasthatbothhishandsbecomeparalysed. After3yearsofpatientsufferingandenduranceintheprisonofthevalley,AllahTaalabyHis limitlessmercyinspiredsomepeopletoviolatethepledge.Somepersonsamongthekuffaarand mushrikeendevelopedpityfortheMuslims.Whilediscussiononthisissuehadbecometopical, AllahTaalarevealedtoRasulullah()thatthedocumentofexcommunicationhad disintegratedandonlythatpieceofthepaperonwhichwaswrittenAllahsNamehadremained intact.Onthisoccasion,AbuTalibnotifiedthechiefsoftheQuraishthatMuhammad( )hadinformedhimofthedisintegrationofthedocument.Headdedthatifthisistrue,thenthey shouldrefrainfromthisactionandlifttheembargo.Whenitwasdiscoveredthatthedocumenthad trulydisintegrated,thosewhowereinitiallyopposedtotheboycottwerefurtheremboldedtoviolate thepledge.Thus,Rasulullah()andhisfamilygainedtheirfreedomfromtheprison ofthevalley. However,soontwograveeventstookplace.Hisuncle,AbuTalibdied.Hispresencehadrestrained thekuffaarofMakkahonmanyoccasions.Also,hisbelovedanddevotedwife,HadhratKhadijah (radhiyallahuanha)passedaway.Thisyearinwhichtheseeventstranspiredwasknownamongthe MuslimsasAamulHuzn(TheYearofSorrow).Thismaterialsupport(inworldlyform)wasthus alsotakenaway.However,inspiteofthemultitudeofdifficulties,hardshipsandsorrows,nothing coulddetractMuhammad()fromhisdevotiontoAllahTaalaandfromthe propagationoftheDeen.AlthoughthekuffaarofMakkahperpetuallymockedhimandhurledathim avarietyofepithetssuchassorcerer,magician,fortuneteller,madman,etc.Rasulullah( )constantlysupplicatedfortheirhidaayattobecomeMuslimandfortheirbetterment.Thiswas hisprimeconcern.Whenfinallyhedespairedasaresultoftheirintransigence,hecommencedhis tablighintheareassurroundingMakkah.HeapproachedeverytribewiththeMessageofTauhid. However,theyallrebuffedandmockedhim.

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InTaaifwhenheattemptedtocarryouthismission,thechiefsnotonlymockedandjeeredhim,but organisedstreeturchinsandothervagabondstostonehim.Inconsequenceoftheshowerofstones whichrainedonhimhisshoesweredyedredwithhisblood.ReturningfromTaaif,hesatatone place,griefstrickenandmakingthefollowingdua: OAllah!WithYouAlonedoIregisterthecomplaintofmyweakness,myforlornnessandmy disgraceamongpeople.OMostMercifulOne!YouaretheRabboftheweak.OnlyYouaremy Rabb.TowardswhomhaveYouassignedme?HaveYouhandedmetoanalienwhodetestsmeorto someenemyintowhosecontrolyouhaveplacedme?OAllah!IfYouarenotdispleasedwithme, thenIcarefornone.Yourprotectionsufficesforme.IseekrefugewiththatNrofYourCountenance whichbrightensalldarknessandonwhichallaffairsofthisworldandthehereafterarerectified, fromYourWrathsettlingonmeorfromYourAngerdescendingonme.RemoveYourAngerfrom mesothatYoubecomepleased(withme).Thereisneitherstrengthnotpower,butwithYou. AllahTaalabestowsHisFavouraccordingtothedegreeofthestruggle.Thefruitsofsuccessare alsoinproportiontothesacrificesofferedinthePathofAllah.TheepisodeatTaaifwasindeeda greatstruggleandsacrifice.ThefruitofthisnoblesacrificewasthehighestProximitytoAllah TaalaintheformoftheMiraaj.NooneeverattainedsuchDivineProximity.Thegreatestandmost wonderfulgiftbestowedtotheUmmahontheoccasionofthisMiraajisthefivedailySalaatwhich wereordainedobligatory.SalaatisamediumforcommuningwithAllahTaala.Atthesametimeit isthemostimportantactofIbaadat.Alas!Theplightofthosewhoturntheirfacesawayfromdivine proximity(byrefrainingfromSalaat)ismostlamentable.Inthepursuitofafewcoinsandforthe proximityofrulersofafewmoments,theysacrificetheirlivesandeventheirDeen. InspiteofitsgreatsignificanceforMuslims,theepisodeofMiraajbecameatargetforthemockery ofthekuffaar.ItprovidedthemwithanadditionalexcuseforjeeringandrevilingtheMuslims. Itwas,fromtheinception,thepracticeofRasulullah()topropagateIslamto outsiderswhoenteredMakkah.ThispracticewasthecausefortheestablishmentofanIslamic presenceinMadinahintheeleventhyearofNubuwwat.TheinhabitantsofMadinahwhilevisiting MakkahfortheirneedsorforHajjwouldembraceIslamandreturntoMadinah.TheMuhaajireenof MakkahfurtheraugmentedthenumberoftheMuslimsinMadinah.Therewasthusasubstantial numberofMuslimsnowinMadinah.TheyalldesiredthatRasulullah()settles permanentlyinMadinah.However,hewouldrepeatedlyinformthemthatAllahTaalahasnotyet commandedhimtomigrate.Thus,hewaitedinMakkahMukarramahinanticipationofAllahs command,spendingnightanddayinibaadat. Meanwhilethekuffaarwerehatchingtheirplotsofvengeancewithoutrespite.Theirpersecutionof Rasulullah()continuedunabated.But,heenduredallthehardshipswithgreat patience.OncethekuffaarofMakkahcalledameetingatwhichitwasdecidedtokillRasulullah (.)Itwasplottedthatthekillingshouldbeexecutedbyfivepeoplebelongingtofive differenttribessothatitwillposeaformidabletaskforBanuHaashimtotakerevengeintheevent theydodecideonthiscourseofaction,thuscompellingthemtoacceptpaymentofdiyat(monetary compensationforakilling)instead. Rasulullah()wasinformedofthisplotviathemediumofWahi.Simultaneouslyhe wasgrantedpermissiontomigrate.Tothwartthekuffaar,heaskedHadhratAli(karramallahu wajhah)tosleepinhisbed.HehandedovertoHadhratAliallarticlesoftrustwhichthepeopleof Makkahhadconsignedtohiscareinspiteoftheirhatred.Afterhavingmadethisarrangement,he

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steppedoutofhishomeduringnighttimewhilethekuffaarhadsurroundedhishouse.Takinga handfulofsand,Rasulullah()threwittowardsthesecontemptiblepeople. Miraculously,hebecameinvisibletothem. HewenttoHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)andtookhimalongwithhim.Theyhid themselvesintheCaveofThaurwheretheyremainedforthreenights.Inthemorningwhenthe kuffaarrealisedthattheyhadbeenoutwitted,theirangerknewnobounds.Searchpartiesweresent inalldirections.Apublicannouncementwasmadeofferingahugerewardforthecaptureof Muhammad(.)ButbeingintheprotectionofAllahTaala,heremainedsafe.Aftera stayofthreenightsintheCaveofThaur,theysetoffforMadinahTayyibah.EnroutetoMadinah, theystayedfourdaysatQuba.QubaisasmallsettlementclosetoMadinah.HearrivedinMadinah onFriday12thRabiulAwwal. SofarafewepisodespertainingtoHijrat(Migration)andthestayinMakkahhavebeennarratedby wayofexample.Ilacktheabilitytoenumeratetheseanecdotesindetail.Readerstoolackthetime forcopiousreading. InMadinah,Rasulullah()wasplungedintoamultitudeofdifferentactivities.Both socialandpoliticalaffairsdevolvedonhim.ThepropagationofIslam,disseminationofknowledge, Fiqah,Hadith,Jihaad,despatchingdelegationstoalltherulersoftheworldwereamongthe activitiesofRasulullah(.)Healsohadtocopewiththeoppositionandconspiracies oftheJewsandMunaafiqeen(Hypocrites)whowereperpetuallyinvolvedinthecreationof obstaclesforthenascentIslamicMovement.Inspiteofthesenumerousactivities,Rasulullah( )wouldfindtimeforrememberingAllahTaalainsolitudeinthewilderness.When someoneaskedHadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha)regardingRasulullahstripsintothewilderness, shereplied:Yes,hewouldfrequentthesevalleys.Oncewhenhehadplannedtogointothedesert, hesentarebelliousshecameltomewiththeinstruction:Bekindtoit.Dontbeharshwithit. Kindnesscreatesbeautyinallthings.

FirstYear
IshallnownarratesomeanecdotesfromthelifeinMadinahaccordingtotheyearsinwhichthey occurred. FirstYear ThiswastheyearwhentheAthaancommenced.WhentheMuslimsmigratedtoMadinah Munawwarah,theyencountereddifficultyregardingtheSalaattimes.TheSahaabahwouldestimate thetimeforJamaatSalaatandgatherintheMusjid.Sincethiswasadailyproblem,theSahaabah soughtasolutionfromRasulullah()whohimselfhadalreadyrealisedthedifficulty. Ultimately,alltheSahaabahgatheredtodiscussthisproblem.Avarietyofsolutionswasoffered. OneopinionwastoraiseaflaghighupatthetimeofSalaat.Seeingtheflag,allwouldgatherfor Salaat.Somesuggestedtheblowingofatrumpet,theringingofbells,etc.However,sinceallthese methodswereprevalentcustomsofotherreligions,Rasulullah()didnotapproveof them.HesaidthatbellswerethewayoftheNasaarawhilethebuglewasthemethodoftheYahood. Muslimsshouldnotadoptthewaysofthekuffaar.Theproblemthusremainunsolved. DuringthesamenightanunseenangelapprisedHadhratAbdullahBinZaid(radhiyallahuanhu)of
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thewordsoftheAthaan.Havingseenthisdream,hehastenedtoRasulullah()and said: ORasulullah!Iwaspartiallyasleepandpartiallyawakewhensomeoneinstructedmewiththese words(i.e.thewordsoftheAthaan). Hearingthesewords,Rasulullah()sentforHadhratBilal(radhiyallahuanhu).He instructedHadhratBilaltomountanelevatedplaceandannouncethesewords.WhenHadhratUmar (radhiyallahuanhu)heardthisproclamation,hehurrieddraggingalonghisshawloutofsheer exhilarationandsaid: ORasulullah!Itooheardsomeonerecitingthesewords20daysago.ButduetomodestyIdidnot informyou. AlthoughitwasHadhratAbdullahBinZaidwhohadheardthesewordsinadream,Rasulullah( )conferredthehonourofproclaimingtheAthaanonHadhratBilal.Inmyhumbleopinion thiswastorewardhimforthetremendoushardshipshehadtoendureintheinitialstageofIslamat thehandsofthekuffaarofMakkah.Althoughthereasonforthispreferenceissaidtobetheloud voiceofHadhratBilal,itisnotnegatoryofmyopinion. InthisfirstyearthefastofYaumeAashra(10thMuharram)wasmadefardh.However,whenthe fastsofRamadhaanweredecreedobligatory,thefastofAasharemainedasMustahab. ThiswasalsotheyearwhenHadhratSalmanFarsiandHadhratAbdullahBinSalam(radhiyallahu anhuma)enteredthefoldofIslam.Theanecdotesofsacrificeanddevotionofthesenoblemenare famous.InthisveryyeardidRasulullah()callhiswife,HadhratSaudah (radhiyallahuanha)andhisdaughtersfromMakkahtoMadinah.Thebrotherhoodbetweenthe AnsaarandMuhaajireenwasestablishedinthisfirstyear.InShabaanofthisyearHadhratAishah (radhiyallahuanha)cametolivewithRasulullah(.)HermarriagetoNabieKareem ()wasalreadycontractedsometimeago.

SecondYear
SecondYear HadhratFaatimah(radhiyallahuanha)marriedHadhratAli(radhiyallahuanhu)inthesecondyearof Hijrat.Theitemswhichshereceivedforherweddingwereabed,twosheets,onepillow,twosilver bangles,onewaterbagandtwoearthenwarejugs. Fasting,Zakaat,EidSalaatandSadqahFitrwereordainedinthisyear. MuslimswerestillfacingBaitilMaqdisduringSalaat.Thisyear,changingoftheQiblahwas ordained.BaitullahbecamethepermanentQiblahoftheMuslims.TheveryfirstSalaatofEidul AdhaawasperformedinthisyearbyRasulullah()intheEidgah. TheBattleofBadralsotookplaceinthisyear.InthisbattlethesmallnumberofMuslimsconsisting of313facedthekuffaararmyof950.HadhratUthmaan(radhiyallahuanhu)wasunableto participateinthisbattlebecausehiswife,HadhratRuqayyah,thedaughterofRasulullah( )wasgravelyill.Rasulullah()instructedHadhratUthmaanandHadhratUsamah

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BinZaidtoremaininMadinahtotakecareofher.HadhratRuqayyahdiedadaybeforeRasulullah ()reachedMadinahaftertheBattleofBadr.SinceHadhratUthmaan(radhiyallahu anhu)hadremainedbehindontheinstructionofNabieAkram(,)hetoowasgiven equalshareinthespoilsofwar. Thedegreeofhumility,fearforAllahandtherealisationofAllahsindependencewhichsettledon Rasulullah()duringthisBattlecanbegaugedfromtheduahehadmadeonthe battlefield.Insupplicationheraisedhishandssohighthathisshawlfellfromhisblessedshoulders tearscascadeddownhischeeksandhepetitioned: OAllah!FulfilYourpromisetoday.Todayisthedayofaid.Ifthissmallbandofdevoteesis eliminatedtoday,therewillremainnoonetotakeYourName.Thereareonlythesefewwhoknow You.TheyarecalledYourdevotees.AidingthemisYourresponsibility.ThehonourofIslamisin Yourpower. Itwastrulyagreatbattle.Rasulullah()threwahandfulofsandtowardsthekuffaar, saying:Maytheirfacesbedisgraced.BythecommandofAllah,thesandreachedtheeyesof everykaafir.Besidesthismiraculousact,theaidofangelswasvisibletoall. ASahaabisaysthatinthisbattlewhilehewaspursuingafleeingkaafir,hesuddenlyhearda tremendouslashofawhipstrikingandavoiceexclaiming:OHaizm!Advance.But,hecouldnot seethespeaker.However,everykaafirwhomhe(theSahaabi)pursuedfelldeadinfrontofhim.The noseofthekaafirwassplitopenandhisbodyhadturnedgreenonaccountofthewhipslash. AveryweakandthinSahaabihadapprehendedHadhratIbnAbbas.WhentheSahaabiwasasked abouthimcapturingsuchastrongwrestlerasIbnAbbas,hesaidthathewasaidedbyamanwhom hehadneverseenbeforenorsawagainthereafter.AllahshelpwaswiththeMuslimsinthis memorableanddecisivebattle.Hence,onlyfiveMuhaajireenandeightAnsaarweremartyred.They wereburiedintheverygarmentstheyhadontheirbodies. Afterthecessationofthebattle,Rasulullah()orderedthebodiesoftheslainkuffaar tobethrownintoawell.Onthefourthday,hecametothewellandsaid:Nowyoumustbe wishing:Alas!WouldthatwehadacceptedAllahandHisMessenger.Wehaveobtainedthe promiseofAllah.Haveyoutooobtainedyourpromise? Rasulullah()thenreachedMadinahMunawwarahsafely.

ThirdYear
HadhratUthmaanBinMazoon(radhiyallahuanhu)diedduringthisyear.HeisthefirstSahaabi whowasburiedinJannatulBaqi(theQabrustaaninMadinahneartoMusjidunNabawi).Hewasthe firstamongtheMuhaajireentohavedied. HadhratHasan(radhiyallahuanhu)wasborninthisyearinthemonthofRamadhaan. TheBattleofUhdinwhich700Muslimsparticipatedtookplaceinthisyear.Thenumberofthe kuffaarwas3000.Rasulullah()onreachingtheproximityofMountUhdoutside Madinahwithhisdevoteessetoutthebattleformationofhismen.Heplaced50archersunderthe

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commandofHadhratAbdullahBinJubairbehindthearmytoguardavulnerablepoint.Theywere leftneartotheHillDirrahtopreventtheenemyfrommakinganattackfromtherear.Rasulullah ()issuedstrictinstructionstothisgrouptoremainattheirpostregardlessofthe successordefeatofthemainarmy. TheMuslimsachievedvictoryandthekuffaarfledindisarrayinalldirections.TheMuslimsthen startedtocollectthespoilsofwar.Thearchersguardingtherearthoughtthattheirinstructionto guardtherearwasonlywhilethebattlewasinprogressandhadnowterminatedwiththeendingof thebattleandaclearvictoryfortheMuslims.Therewasnoneednowtoremainthere.Sothey thought.AlthoughtheirAmeer,HadhratAbdullahBinJubair(radhiyallahuanhu)vehemently forbadethemfromabandoningtheirpost,theydisobeyedhim.OnlytheAmeerandtenmenwere leftatthepost.ThedangerwhichRasulullah()hadforeseeninanunguardedrear thusmaterialized. KhalidBinWalid,whowasnotyetaMuslim,wasswifttotakeadvantageoftheunguarded mountainpass.TakingthearmyhemadeasuddenattackontheMuslimsfromthispoint.In consequenceofthissuddenswoop,70SahaabahweremartyredamongwhomwasHadhratAmeer Hamzah(radhiyallahuanhu)aswell. TheaimofthekuffaarwastoattacktheverypersonofRasulullah(.)Inpursuitof thisaim,UtbahBinAbiWaqqasstruckNabieAkram()withastone,breakinga toothandwoundinghislowerlip.IbnQumayyahmadeasevereattackwithhisswordonNabie Kareen(.)Asaresulthefellintoadeepditchwithhismubaarakfacecoveredwith blood.Theprofusebleedingweakenedhimgreatly.HadhratAli(karramallahuwajhahu)repeatedly washedhisface.Buttheflowofblooddidnotstop.HadhratFaatimah(radhiyallahuanha)thenburnt apieceofastrawmatandfilledthewoundswiththeashestostemtheflowoftheblood. ThesuddenattackhadbrokentheranksoftheMuslimswhowereforcedtoscatterindisarray.The seniorSahaabahsuchasHadhratAbuBakr,HadhratUmar,HadhratAliandHadhratTalhah (radhiyallahuanhum)hadremainedfirmontheirplacesfightingthekuffaarattack.HadhratHumzah (radhiyallahuanhu)loudlycalledthescatteredSahaabah.Afterregrouping,theSahaabahvaliantly facedthekuffaarinbattle.Theultimateresultoftheensuingintensefightingwasthedefeatofthe kuffaarwhowererouted. VeryseniorSahaabahweremartyredinthisbattle.HadhratHamzahfellatthehandsoftheHabshi slave,Wahshi,whostruckhimwithhissword.HadhratHamzah(radhiyallahuanhu)tooktwoor threestepsforwardandfelldown. ThenewsoftheprogressofthebattleseventsreachedMadinahTayyibah.Womenandoldmen becamefearful.AsenseoffearhadgrippedeveryoneinMadinah.Everyonewasanxiouslyawaiting newsofRasulullah()andtheSahaabah.NabieKareem()finally enteredMadinahonthe15thShawwaalinthisthirdyear.IntheirsheerhappinesstoseeRasulullah ()safe,theyforgotabouttheirgrieffortheirmartyredones,althoughthosewhohad fallenweretheirbrothers,husbandsandyoungsons.

FourthYear
HadhratHusain(radhiyallahuanhu)wasborninthisfourthyear.
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TheheartrendingepisodeofBeereManah(TheWellofManah)inwhich70Sahaabah,allof whomwereHuffaaz,weremartyred,occurredinthisyear.OnlyHadhratUmarBinUmayyah (radhiyallahuanhu)escaped.Thedetailsofthistragiceventarenarratedhereunder. AamirBinMalik,aninhabitantofNajdcametoRasulullah()professinghislovefor Islam.HeexpressedhisdesiretoembraceIslam,butaddedthathefearedhispeople.Herequested thatafewintelligentSahaabahaccompanyhimtohispeople.ThepurposewasfortheSahaabahto propagatetheDeenamongthepeople.AamirBinMalikassuredthathewouldberesponsibleforthe safetyoftheSahaabah. Rasulullah()sentagroupof70SahaabahundertheleadershipofHadhratMunthir BinAmr(radhiyallahuanhu)forthepurposeoutlinedbyAamir,theNajdi.Healsosentaletterin whichthechiefsofNadjwereinvitedtoacceptIslam.ThegrouphaltedataplacebetweenMakkah andAsfaan.ThisplacewasknownasBeereManah.HadhratHiramBinMalhantogetherwithtwo companionswentaheadtodeliverRasulullahslettertoAamirBinTufail.Whentheycamecloseto theirdestination,HadhratHiraminstructedthetwocompanionstowaitwhilehewentona reconnoitringmission.HesaidthatifhewasgrantedAmaan(PledgeofSafety),thetwoshouldalso come.IfAmaanwasnotgranted,theyshouldreturn.Headdedthatinsteadofallthreebeingslain, thebetteroptionwasforonlyhimtobekilled. Onreachingthesettlement,HadhratHiram(radhiyallahuanhu)announced: IamtheenvoyofRasulullah.IfIamgrantedAmaan(immunity)Iwilldeliverhismessage. Beforehecouldsayanythingfurther,amushrikattackedhimfrombehind,plunginghisspearinto HadhratHiram(radhiyallahuanhu)whocollapsedanddiedaftermanagingtosay: BytheRabboftheKabah!Iamvictorious. ThekuffaarthenturnedtheirattentiontotheothermembersofthepartyofSahaabah.Theymadea suddenattackandmartyredalltheSahaabah.AmongtheslainSahaabahwasHadhrat mirBin FuhairahwhohadlivedwithRasulullah()ontheoccasionofHijrat.Afterhewas martyred,hewasconferredwiththehonouroftheMalaaikahtakinghisbodytotheheavens. WhenthenewsofthistragedyreachedRasulullah(,)hewasoverwhelmedwith grief.Althoughitwashisnoblehabittorefrainfrominvokingcurses,nevertheless,herecitedinFajr Salaatfor21daysQunteNazilahinwhichheinvokedcursesonthesekuffaar. TheBattleofBanuNadheeralsotookplaceinthisyear.ThenaturalcharacteristicoftheJewswas alwaystoemploydeceptionandengageinconspiracy.Itwastheirtreacherywhichledtothisbattle. TheyhadseatedRasulullah()andhisdevotedcompanions,HadhratAbuBakr, HadhratUmarandHadhratAlibehindawall.Theythenplottedtokillthembyhurlingrocksfrom ontopofthewall.But,hewasinformedofthistreacherousdesignbymeansofWahi,hencethey movedaway. Inviewoftheirviolationoftheirtreatyandpledge,Rasulullah()despatchedan ultimatumtothem:eitherembraceIslamorgetoutfromMadinah.However,thesemiserablepeople relyingonthepromisedaidofAbdullahBinUbayandotherMunaafiqeen,madepreparationfor war.But,noneofthesehypocritescametotheiraid.

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InRabiulAwwalofthefourthyear,Rasulullah()besiegedBanuNadheer.Rasulullah ()supervisedtheoperationsfor6days.TheorchardsandpropertiesofBanuNadheer wererazedbyfire.Finally,theysuedforpeace.Rasulullah()grantedthempeace. Theywereallowedtotakewiththemasmuchoftheirwealthandbelongingsastheycouldcarry. Theywere,however,notpermittedtotakeanyweaponswiththem.Whiletheyweredepartingthey demolishedtheirhomestorenderthemuninhabitablefortheMuslims.Theycarriedwiththemeven thedoorsandothertimbertakenfromtheirbuildingsandsettledinKhaibar. Theprohibitionofliquorwasrevealedduringthissiege. DuringthemonthofShawwaalofthisyearHadhratUmmeSalmahcameintotheNikahof Rasulullah(.)DuringthisveryyearRasulullahswife,HadhratZainabBinte Khuzaimahdiedafteramarriagelasting8months.

FifthYear
TheBattleofThaaturRiqaatookplaceinMuharramofthisyear.Inthisbattle,theSahaabahon accountoftheirpoverty,werebarefootedandwithoutridinganimals.Theirfeetbecameswollen andwounded.Forsomerelief,theSahaabahtiedpiecesofclotharoundtheirfeet.Itisforthisreason thatthisbattlehasbeennamedThaaturRiqaaortheBattleofclothpieces. Ontheirreturnfromthebattle,theSahaabahcampedinawildernessatmidday.Inordertogain someresttheyspreadout.Rasulullah()alsorestedunderacactustree.Hehunghis swordonthetree.Suddenlyhiseyesopenedandhesawakaafirwithdrawnswordstandingover him.Thekaafirsaid:Muhammad!Tellmewhocannowsaveyourlife?Maintaininghisfull composureandconfidencehereplied:Allahwillsaveme.Asthekaafirheardthesewords,his sworddroppedfromhishand.NabieAkram()pickeduptheswordverycalmlyand said:Whowillnowsaveyou?Thekaafirreplied:Noone.Rasulullah()said: Learnmercyfromme.Hethenloweredthesword.TheeffectofthisattitudeofRasulullah( )inducedthekaafirtoacceptIslam. SalaateKhaufwasordainedinthisfifthyearofHijrat. AfamousanecdoteofthisyearwasRasulullahsfallingfromthehorseandinjuringhimself.Asa result,hehadtostayfivedaysatMashrabah. Rasulullah()marriedHadhratJuwairiyyahinthisyear.Alsointhisyeardidthe MunaafiqeenspreadtheirslanderagainstHadhratAishah.ThisepisodeisknownastheEpisodeof Ifq.Inanattempttoassailherchastityandhonourtheyspreadanevilrumour.Briefly,theincident happenedasfollows: HadhratAishahhadaccompaniedRasulullah()ontheCampaignofMuraysee.On itsreturnjourney,thearmyencampedatacertainplace.HadhratAishahwentintotheveldto answerthecallofnature.Onthewayhernecklacebrokeandwaslost,butsheonlyrealisedthis whenshehadreturnedtothetent.Sheimmediatelywentbacktotheveldinsearchofhernecklace. Shespentquiteawhilesearchingforthelostnecklace.Bythetimeshehadreturnedtocamp,the armyhaddeparted.Shewasverylightinweight,hencethebearersofherhoedajdidnotrealisethat itwasempty.(HoedajisasmallcabininwhichladiesofPurdahwouldbemovedfromplaceto

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placebymalebearers). Shesatdownandcoveringherselffellasleepknowingthatwhenherabsencewasdiscoveredthey willreturnforher.Rasulullah()hadappointedHadhratSafwaanBinMuattaltotrail behindthearmy.Itwashisdutytoretrieveanyitemswhichmayhavebeenleftbehindordropped bymembersofthepartymovingahead.Whenhearrivedattheplacewherethearmyhadhaltedand sawHadhratAishahaloneinthewilderness,heloudlyexclaimedinastonishment: Thesoundofhisvoicewokeherfromhersleep.WhenshesawHadhratSafwaan,sheimmediately concealedherfacebecausethelawofPurdahhadalreadybeenrevealed.HadhratSafwaanobserving thegreatestdegreeofhonourandrespect,alightedfromthecamel.Hemadethecamelsitdownand HadhratAishahmounted.Thus,theycontinuedthejourneywithHadhratSafwaanleadingthecamel onfoot.AccordingtothenarrationofBukhari,whichisinfactnarratedbyHadhratAishah,nota wordofconversationpassedbetweenthem.Beforemidday(ofthesameday)HadhratAishah reachedRasulullah(.) Thisistheentireunadulteratedepisodewhichhadtranspired.However,theHypocritestaking advantageofthisevent,plottedtoaccuseHadhratAishahofhavinghadanaffairwithHadhrat Safwaan.ThreesimpleSahaabahwhoseintegrityandsincerityareunquestionable,werealso unwittinglyembroiledinthisplotoftheMunaafiqeen.Theyweretwomales,HadhratMistahand HadhratHassanBinThait,andafemale,HadhratHamnahBinteJahsh. HadhratAishahwasblissfullyunawareoftheslanderousrumourswhichwerefloatingaround. However,Rasulullah()havingheardtherumourwasovercomewithgrief.He consultedseveralSahaabahonthisissue.Everyoneofthememphaticallyproclaimedherinnocence andchastity.HadhratAishahsslavegirl,HadhratBareerahvehementlyvouchedforherhonourand innocence.Inspiteoftheseassurances,therumourhadbeengivensuchprominencethatRasulullah ()wasaffectedbylingeringdoubts. Ontheotherside,HadhratAishahwasbeingconsumedbygriefandsadness.Shecouldnotfathom thereasonforRasulullahscoldnesstowardsher.Theformerloveseemedtohavedisappeared. Duringthistime,onceshewentouttoanswerthecallofnature.Shewasaccompaniedbyherfriend whowasthemotherofHadhratMistah.Alongtheway,HadhratAishahwasinformedoftherumour byherfriend.Shealsoapprisedherofthescandalwhichwasraginginthisregardthroughout Madinah. ThisshockingrevelationhadadisastrousaffectonHadhratAishah.Heralreadyweakenedbody sufferedfurther.Shewasovertakenbyaseverefever.Shecamehomeandweptuncontrollably. WhenRasulullah()camehome,sherequestedpermissiontogotoherparentshome. Hegaveherconsent. WhenHadhratAishahmethermother,shecriedprofusely.Hermothertriedtoconsoleher,buttono avail.Shewasheartbrokenanddistressed.Athermothershome,shecriedandsobbedforaday andtwonightswithoutstop.Rasulullah()visitedherandsaid: OAishah!Ifyouarechaste,mostassuredlyAllahTaalawillexculpateyou.Ifyouhaderred,then repent.Allahwillforgiveyou. HadhratAishah,turningtoherfather,HadhratAbuBakr,said:Father!Answeronmybehalf.

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Hereplied:WhatdoIknow?WhatcanIsay?HadhratAishahthenturnedtohermotherwiththe samerequest.Shetoorepliedsimilarly.Thereupon,HadhratAishahsaid: IwasayounggirlwhohadnotyetlearnttheQuraanproperly.Sincetheslanderregardingmehas settledinyourheart,youwillnotbelievemeevenifIproclaimmyinnocence.Now,Icansay nothingotherthatwhatHadhratYusufsfatherhadsaid:Patienceisbeautiful.AndAllahistheOne fromWhomaidissoughtregardingthatwhichyouarefabricating. Onaccountofsorrow,griefandangershewasunabletorememberHadhratYaqubsname,hence shesaidYusufsfather.Aftermakingthisbravestand,hertearsdriedup. WhiletheinmatesofthehousewerestillaroundNabieAkram(,)thesignsofWahi commenced.AllahTaalaisIndependentandallthingshappenaccordingtoHisWisdom.Hence,a fullmonthhadpassedwithoutRasulullah()receivinganydivinedirective.Nowthe beadsofperspirationasignoftheprogressionofRevelationwereformingonhismubaarak forehead.HadhratJibraeel(alayhissalaam)appearedwith18aayaatofSurahNrinwhichHadhrat Aishahsinnocence,purityandchastitywereemphaticallyasserted. UponthecessationoftheRevelation,Rasulullah()smiledandinformedHadhrat AishahthatherinnocencehasbeenannouncedbyAllahTaala.Herjoyknewnobound.Inherstate ofecstaticelationsheexpressedhergratitudetoAllahTaala. Meanwhile,NabieAkram()mountedthemimbarintheMusjidandafteralecture, recitedtheverseswhichwererevealedtoproclaimHadhratAishahsinnocence.TheShariatslawof punishmentforslanderersofchastewomenwasalsoannounced.Thus,theslandererswereflogged 80lasheseach. TheBattleofKhandaq(TheTrench)alsotookplaceinthisfifthyear.TheSahaabahaswellas NabieAkram()hadthemselvesdugthetrench.Itisforthisreasonthatthisbattleis calledtheBattleoftheTrench.ThehugetrenchwasdugontheadviceofHadhratSalmanFarsi (radhiyallahuanhu). ThefamousepisodeofHadhratJabirsinvitationhappenedduringthetimethetrenchwasbeing dug.Whiledigging,HadhratJabir(radhiyallahuanhu)noticedastonetiedonthestomachof Rasulullah(.)Hehastenedtohishouseandinstructedhiswifetopreparewhatever foodtherewas.HeexplainedtoherthedirestraitofRasulullahshunger.Agoatwhichtheyowned wasslaughteredandsomedoughwaskneed.HadhratJabir(radhiyallahuanhu)theninvited NabieAkram()formeals,addingthatoneortwocompanionscouldalsocome along.Rasulullah()enquiredofthequantityofthefood.Whenhewastold,he commented:Wellandmuch. Rasulullah()thenaddressingallthediggersofthetrenchsaid:Jabirhasinvitedyou all.Letsgo! HeinstructedHadhratJabirnottoremovethepotfromthestoveuntilhe(NabieAkram)hadnot arrivedandthatthebreadshouldbebakedonlywhenhehadarrived.Rasulullah() thensetoffwithalltheSahaabahforHadhratJabirshome. MeanwhileHadhratJabirranhomeinanxiety.HetoldhiswifethatNabieAkram() wasbringingalongthewholearmyformeals.Fullofconcernshesaid:Iwillbeputtoshame
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infrontofall.Thefoodisverylittle.Sheasked:Didheenquireaboutthequantityoffood?When HadhratJabirtoldherthathedidinformNabieAkram()ofthequantityoffood, shewasrelievedandfeltconfident. Soonthereafter,Rasulullah()arrivedatthehomeofHadhratJabir.Heblewonthe foodandthedough.Ashortwhilelaterthefoodwasreadytobeserved.Rasulullah( )advisedthemtoeatatleisure.Athousandguestsateandtherestillremainedfood.Thiswas indeedaMujizah(miracle)ofRasulullah(.)Rasulullah()instructed thatwhateverfoodwasleftovershouldbeeatenbyHadhratJabirsfamilyandservedtothe neighbours.TherearemanysimilarMujizaatofRasulullah()regardingthe miraculousincreaseinfoods.

SixthYear
TheeclipseofthesunoccurredinthisyearandSalaatulKusoof(Salaatontheoccasionofthe eclipseofthesun)wasordained. Forthepast6years,theSahaabahKiraamhadneitherseentheKabahnortheirhomeland (Makkah).Rasulullah()wasyearningtovisittheKabahtoperformHajj.During thistimehedreamtthattogetherwithhisSahaabahhehadgonetoperformUmrah.Whenhe narratedthisdream,alltheSahaabahpreparedthemselvestovisittheKabah.Thus,Rasulullah( )setofwithalargebodyofSahaabahtoperformUmrah. ThefirstcampputupwasatZulHulaaifah.Fromhere,BisrBinAbiSufyaanwasdespatchedto reconnoitrethesituationinMakkah.Afterhavingaccomplishedhismission,hemetRasulullah( )atAsfaan.HeinformedthatthekuffaarofMakkahweremakingpreparationsforwarto preventtheMuslimsfromenteringMakkah.WhilestillatAsfaan,NabieAkram() toldtheSahaabahthatKhalidBinWalidhadarrivedintheValleyofGhameemonareconnoitring mission.He,therefore,instructedtheSahaabahtofollowanotherroute.Hethencalledforaguide. HadhratHamzahBinAmrAslamivolunteered.TheSahaabahwerethenledbyhimthrough torturousmountainousterrain.NabieAkram()orderedtheSahaabahtorecite: (WeseekforgivenessfromAllahandweturntoHiminrepentance.) TheSahaabahrepeatedlyrecitedthesewords.Rasulullah()saidthatwhenthese wordswerepresentedtoBaniIsraeel,theyrefusedtorecitethem.Healsoorderedthemtowalkon therightside. Atthisjuncture,Rasulullah()consultedtheSahaabah.HadhratAbuBakr (radhiyallahuanhu)wasoftheopiniontorefrainfromallhostilityunlessattacked.Hesaidthatsince themotiveofthejourneywasnottofight,theyshouldcontinue.Ifpreventedbythekuffaar,then onlyshouldmeasuresbetakentorepulsethem.Rasulullah()approvedthisadvice. Finally,thepartyofSahaabahreachedHudaibiyyah.HeretheyweremetbyBudailBinWarqah accompaniedbyagroupofmen.HeinformedRasulullah()thatthepeopleof MakkahwerepreparingtointerceptthepartyandpreventtheMuslimsfromenteringMakkah. Rasulullah()sentBudailBinWarqahtoinformthekuffaarofMakkahthatthe motiveforcomingwasnottofight.TheintentionwasonlytoperformUmrah.

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Thekuffaar,however,rejectedRasulullahsrequestforapeacefulentryandpermissiontoperform Umrah.HadhratUthmaan(radhiyallahuanhu)wassentastheenvoytonegotiateapeacetreatywith thekuffaar.ButtheQuraishwereadamantintheirrefusal.Theyflatlyrefusedpermissionfor Rasulullah()toenterMakkahalthoughtheyconsentedtoHadhratUthmaan performingUmrahifhesodesired.But,HadhratUthmaan(radhiyallahuanhu)refusedtoperform UmrahwithoutRasulullah(.) Thenegotiationswereprolonged.ArumourspreadamongtheMuslimsthatHadhratUthmaanwas martyred.TheSahaabahandNabieAkram()weregreatlygrievedandperturbed.In consequenceofthisrumour,Rasulullah()satunderatreeandtookapledgefromall theSahaabahtoavengethemurderofHadhratUthmaan.ThenameofthisBait(Pledge)isBaitur (orBaitur)Ridhwaan(ThePledgeofPleasure,i.e.AllahsPleasure). WhenthekuffaarlearntofthisPledge,theyquicklysenttheirenvoytonegotiateatreaty.Rasulullah ()acceptedeveryconditionproposedbythekuffaarinspiteoftheseconditionsbeing clearlyprejudicialandhumiliatingtotheMuslims.TheSahaabah,infact,werenotpreparedto accepttheseconditionsandweredeterminedtofight,but,thekuffaaragainexhibitedtheir intransigence.AnexampleoftheirpettinesswastheirrejectionofBismillaahirRahmaanirRaheem beingwritteninthetreatydocument.TheyaverredthattheywerenotawareofRahmaan.They insistedonwritingtheircustomaryinvocationBismillaahiAllaahumma.Theyfurther,rejectedthe inclusionofthephrase,Muhammad,theRasoolofAllah.Suhailwhowasthekuffaarsscribe recordingthetermsofthetreatysaid: IfweacceptyouastheRasoolofAllah,thentherewillnotbethisdispute.Weshallnotagreeto youwritingtheRasoolofAllah.WriteMuhammadBinAbdullah. Rasulullah()replied: ByAllah!IamtheMessengerofAllahregardlessofhowmuchyoudenyit. HetheninstructedHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)whowasthescribeoftheMuslimstodelete thewordsRasulofAllahandtowriteMuhammadBinAbdullah.HadhratAlideclaredhisinability ofeffectingthisdeletion.NabieAkram()thenerasedthewordshimself,and substitutedMuhammadBinAbdullah.Ultimately,afterconsiderablebickeringandobstinacythe treatywasfinalised.Thefollowingwereamongthetermsofthetreaty: 1.TheMuslimsshouldgobackthisyearwithoutperformingUmrah. 2.Theywouldbeallowedthefollowingyearforonlythreedays. 3.Allwarfaretoceasefor10years. 4.AnymemberoftheQuraishwhohavingembracedIslamseeksasylumwiththeMuslimsin Madinahshouldbereturnedimmediately.IfaMuslimcomestoMakkah,heshallnotbesentbackto Madinah. Itisobviousthattheseconditionswereallinfavourofthekuffaar.AlltheSahaabah,especially HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)wereenragedbytheseunjustterms.Neverthelessthetreatywas ratifiedwiththesignaturesofbothparties.Thus,Rasulullah()returnedwiththe SahaabahwithoutperformingUmrah. ThedreamwhichRasulullah()hadseenwasundoubtedlytrue.Infactitdid

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materialize.SincethetimeandyearofthepredictedUmrahwerenotspecifiedinthedream,itwas notnecessaryforthedreamtohavematerializedthatveryyear.Theauthenticityofthedream thereforeremainsunassailable. Manyeventshadtranspiredduringthecourseoftheenactmentofthistreaty.Twosignificant episodeswillberecordedhere.FromthesetwoeventsillustratetheextenttowhichRasulullah( )wentinhonouringthePledge,andalsothedevotionoftheSahaabah. 1)HadhratAbuJundal(radhiyallahuanhu)whohadembracedIslamwasheldincaptivitybythe kuffaarinMakkah.Hewasinchainsandbeingtortured.Hemanagedtoescapefromprison.Stillin fetters,hestumbledintotheMuslimcampbelievingthathehadreachedsafety.Suhailwhowasthe kuffaarsdelegateinthenegotiationofthetreatywasAbuJundalsfather.Heslappedhissonand insistedontakinghimbackintocaptivity.Rasulullah()respondedthatthetreatyhad notyetbeenfinalised.Thetermswere,therefore,notyetinforce.But,Suhailwasadamant.Abu JundalexclaimedthathehadembracedIslamandnarratedthehardshipstowhichhewassubjected. OnlyAllahTaalaisawareofthegriefandangerwhichcrossedtheheartsoftheMuslims.But,on theinstructionofRasulullah(,)HadhratAbuJundalwasreturnedtothekuffaar.He consoledAbuJundalandexhortedhimtoadoptsabr(patience),addingthatsoonAllahTaalawill beopeninganavenueforhim. Afterthefinalizationofthetreaty,anotherSahaabi,AbuBaseerwhohadembracedIslam,arrivedin MadinahMunawwarah.Thekuffaarsenttwomentobringhimback.Intermsofthetreaty, Rasulullah()returnedAbuBaseerwhosaid:ORasulullah!IhaveembracedIslam andhavecome.Areyoureturningmeintotheclawsofthekuffaar? Rasulullah()alsoadvisedhimtoadoptpatience,addingthatsoonAllahTaalawill beopeningupawayforhim. HadhratAbuBaseerwasledbackinthecustodyoftwokaafirs.Alongthewayhestartedtoflatter oneoftheguards.Hepraisedthequalityoftheguardssword.Theguardfeelingflatteredremoved hisswordfromthescabbardandboasted:Ihavepractisedwithitonmanypeople.Sosaying,he handedtheswordtoAbuBaseer.Takingthesword,AbuBaseerswiftlydisposedoftheguard.When theotherguardsawwhathadhappenedhetookflight.HewenttoMadinahandlodgedhiscomplaint withRasulullah(.)HadhratAbuBaseer(radhiyallahuanhu)appearedonthescene andsaid: ORasulullah!YouhavehonouredyourPledgebyhavingreturnedme.Ihavenopactwiththem, henceamnotresponsibletothemforanything.TheyhaveattemptedtoforcemefrommyDeen, henceIhavedonethis. Rasulullah()saidthatthisincidentcouldsparkoffawar.Wouldthathe(i.e.Abu Baseer)hadahelper.AbuBaseerunderstoodtheimplicationofthisstatement.Ifthekuffaarcame forhim,hewouldagainbehandedover.Heleftandsetuphishideoutalongtheseashore. MeanwhileHadhratAbuJundalwhosestoryhasalreadybeennarrated,managedtoescapefrom Makkah.HelinkedupwithAbuBaseer.Thereafter,whoeverembracedIslaminMakkahlinkedup withthesefugitives.Soontheyhadgrownintoasizeablegroup.Theyhadtobearthehardshipsand austereconditionsofthewildernesswheretherewasneitherfoodnoranysettlement.But,anavenue hadopenedupforthem.Theywaylaideverycaravanofthecruelkuffaarwhichpassedthatway.

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Theyfoughttheinfidelsandcapturedthemerchandise.Theywereoccupyingavantagepointwhere thecaravansofthekuffaarofMakkahhadtopass.Theythuswroughthavocandrenderedthe kuffaarhelpless.Finally,thekuffaarofMakkahsentanenvoytoMadinahtoappealtoRasulullah ()inthenameofAllahandforthesakeoffamilytiestocallthislawlessbandto Madinah,forthen,atleasttheytoowillcomeunderthescopeofthetreaty,clearingthewayforthe freemovementoftheircaravans. WhenRasulullahsletterreachedAbuBaseer(radhiyallahuanhu),hewasinhislastillness.Withthe letterofNabieKareem()inhishands,hedied.

SeventhYear
TheJewswhohadbeenexpelledfromMadinah,hadsettledinKhaibar.Evenheretheyinvolved themselvesinconspiraciesagainstIslam.TheyinstigatedthekuffaartoriseagainsttheMuslims. Thus,theBattleofKhaibartookplaceintheseventhyeartoputanendtothemischiefoftheJews. Onthe20thor21stofMuharram,anarmyof1,400Sahaabahsetoffunderthecommandof Rasulullah()forKhaibar.Allthefortswerecaptured.WhentheJewslostallhope, theysuedforpeaceandofferedtoliveinsubjectionunderMuslimdomination.Theyofferedtotake theMuslimsaspartnersintheirfarms.Sincetheywereexperiencedfarmers,theJewsofferedtodo theactualfarmingwhiletheMuslimswouldreceiveashareoftheyield.Rasulullah( ,)beingRahmatulAalameen(Mercytotheworlds),acceptedtheiroffer.Thuswerethelivesof theJewsspared. HadhratSafiyyahwhowasthedaughterofHubayBinAkhtabandoftheprogenyofHarn(alayhis salaam)wascapturedinthisbattlebytheMuslims.Rasulullah()setherfreeand conferredonherthehonourofbeinghiswife. Theprohibitionofmutah(temporarymarriage)wasdecreedinthis7thyear.Also,wasprohibited themeatofassesandofallbeastsofprey. ThemotherofHadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha),HadhratUmmeRoumanpassedawayduringthis year. InaccordancewiththeTreatyofHudaibiyyahofthe6thyear,Rasulullahsetoffwith2100Sahaabah toperformtheUmrah.Intermsofthepledge,theystayedthreedaysinMakkahandreturnedto MadinahMunawwarah. OnthejourneytoMakkah,Rasulullah()marriedHadhratMaimunah.Itwashis intentiontohavethewalimahfeastinMakkah.Butthekuffaarwouldnotrelent.Theyrefusedto extendthe3dayperiodofgraceallowedbytheTreaty.Thewalimahwasthereforeheldataplace calledSarafwhilereturningfromMakkah.ThiswaswheretheNikahtookplaceandpreciselyatthe spotwherethetentwassetup,didHadhratMaimunah(radhiyallahuanha)dieintheyear51. AfterthepactatKhaibar,aJewesssentsomepoisonedmuttonasagifttoNabieAkram( .)Hisnoblecharacterconstrainedhimtoacceptthegift.Asheplacedapieceofthemeatinhis mouth,themeatspokebythepermissionofAllahTaala.Itsaid:

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ORasulullah!Donoteatme.Poisonhasbeenaddedtome. HeimmediatelythrewdownthemeatandinformedtheSahaabahofthesituation.OneSahaabiwho hadalreadyatesomeofthemeat,died.TheeffectofthepoisonenduredinRasulullah( )foraslongashelived.Atthetimeofdeaththeaffectofthepoisonasserteditself.

EighthYear
Rasulullahsson,IbraahimwasbornfromMariahQibtiyyahduringthisyear. InthemonthofJamaadilAwwal,theSahaabahwenttowaragainstaverylargeChristianarmy.This wasthefamousBattleofMootah.TheincidentwhichsparkedoffthisbattlewasthekillingofHarith BinUmair(radhiyallahuanhu).ThreethousandSahaabahwenttobattleagainsttheChristianarmy whichnumberedmorethan100,000.Inviewofthegreatoddsagainstthem,theSahaabahwere somewhatapprehensive.SomeofthemadvisedthatreinforcementsbecalledfromMadinahbefore embarkingontheattack.But,themajorityoftheSahaabahopposedtheproposalofdelayingthe attack.TheywereconfidentofAllahsaid. Inthisbattle,Rasulullah()hadentrustedtheflagtoHadhratZaid(radhiyallahu anhu)withtheinstructionthatintheeventofHadhratZaidsmartyrdom,HadhratJafar (radhiyallahuanhu)shouldbeappointedtheAmeer.Intheeventofhimtoobeingmartyred,Hadhrat AbdullahBinRawahahshouldassumethereinsofleadership.Ifhetooismartyred,theMuslims shouldthenappointastheirAmeerwhomevertheywished.AJewwhowaslisteningtothis conversationcommentedthatthesethreepersonswillmostcertainlybemartyred.Hehadbasedhis conclusiononsimilarinstructiongivenbyformerAmbiya.Theseinstructionsimpliedthattheevents surmisedwilldefinitelyhappen. Thus,asithappened,thesethreestalwartsofIslamweremartyredandHadhratKhalidBinWalid (radhiyallahuanhu)becamethecommanderofthearmy.TheappointmentofHadhratKhalidturned thetideagainsttheRomans.TheMuslimssweptthroughtheChristianforceslikeahurricane.Inthis battle,HadhratKhalidchangedhisswordninetimes.Inviewoftheabundanceofbloodhissword repeatedlybecameineffective.Finally,theRomanarmywasdecisivelydefeated.Only12Muslims weremartyred.TheMuslimarmyreturnedvictorioustoMadinahMunawwarah. FromthetimeMusjideNabawiwasbuiltuntilnow(i.e.8thyear),therewasnomimbarinthe Musjid.Rasulullah()wouldstandontheflatground,leaningagainsta datetreetrunkwhendeliveringtheKhutbah.OneofthewomenoftheAnsaarsaidthatherslave wasagoodcarpenter.Ifpermissionisgiven,shewouldinstructhimtomakeamimbar.Rasulullah ()consultedtheSahaabah.Itwasthendecidedtohavethemimbarmade.Theslave, Maimoonbuiltthemimbar.ThetimberforthemimbarwasbroughtfromGhaabah(aplaceabout9 milesfromMadinah). Afterthemimbarwasprepared,Rasulullah()nolongerleanedagainstthedatetree trunk.Unabletobearthisseparation,thetreetrunkmiraculouslycriedprofusely.Rasulullah( )descendedfromthemimbarandplacedhisblessedhandonthetreetrunkwhichwas sobbinglikealittlechild.ThetreetrunkwasthenconsoledbyNabieAkram(.) TheauthorofIhyaulUloomwritesthatafterRasulullahsdemise,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)

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wasfoundcryingandsaying: ORasulullah!Maymymotherandfatherbesacrificedforyou.Atreetrunkonwhichyouwould leanbeforetheerectionofthemimbarcriedonaccountofbeingseparatedfromyou.Youthenhad toconsoleitwithyourblessedhand.ORasulullah!YourUmmatdeservestocrymorethana treetrunkoveryourseparation. TheConquestofMakkah On10thRamadhaanofthisyear,NabieAkram()setoffwith10,000Sahaabahto conquerMakkah.EnroutetoMakkah,another2,000joinedthearmy.AbuSufyaan,HudailBin WarqahandHakimBinHizamenteredtheMuslimarmysurreptitiouslyonaspyingmission. However,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)arrestedthemandpresentedthemtoRasulullah( .)HereinthecourtofNabieAkram()theyonceagainobservedthescene oftoleranceandforgiveness.TheyweregreatlyinfluencedandtouchedbytheattitudeofNabie Kareem(.)AllahTaalaatlastgrantedthemthetaufeeqofacceptingIslam. Onthemorningof18thRamadhaan,Rasulullah()enteredMakkahMuazzamah seatedonashecamel.HewasrecitingtheaayatofSurahFath.Hisheadwasbowedinhumility.He enteredMakkahasanembodimentofgratitudetoAllahTaala. TheBattleofHunainalsotookplaceinthisyear.TheBedouinsofthetribesofHawazinand ThaqeefdeemeditexpedienttoattacktheMuslims.TheyassembledinHunainandpreparedfor battle.WhenRasulullah()wasinformedofthismove,hesetoffon6thShawwaal with12,000menforHunain. TheMuslimsonthisoccasionfeltameasureofoverconfidencebecauseoftheirlargenumberand equipment.SomeMuslims,infact,becameproudful,havingreposedtheirrelianceontheirmaterial superiority.Allah,TheIndependentOne,disapprovedofthisattitude.Asalessontothem,Allah Taalainflictedtemporarydefeatonthemintheinitialstageofthebattle.Theirrankswerebroken andtheydispersedindisarray.Finally,AllahTaalagrantedtheMuslimsvictory.Bythebarkatof Rasulullah(,)theSahaabahregroupedandgainedadecisivevictory. TheMuslimarmythereafterlaidsiegetoTaaiffor18days.Itwasannouncedthatwhoeverleftthe fortwouldbefree.About10personsleftthefortafterthisannouncement.After18days,Rasulullah ()liftedthesiegeandreturned. AtJaraanah,hetiedhisihraamandperformedUmrahon24ThilQadh.AfterthisUmrahhe departedforMadinah.

NinthYear
TheexpeditionofTabkwasundertakenthisyear.ThiswasthelastcampaignofNabieAkram( .)OnThursday5thRajab,Rasulullah()marchedfromMadinahTayyibah with20,000SahaabahtobreakthepowerofHeraclius,theemperoroftheRomanEmpire.Although defeatedintheBattleofMootah,theChristiansstillcherishedtheideaofattackingMadinah Tayyibah. OnthisoccasiontheheatwasextremeandtheSahaabahweresufferingdirestraitsofpoverty.A

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greateffortwasthereforemadetoraisefundsforthiscampaign.Theladiesevencontributed whateverjewellerytheypossessed.DespitethisstateoftheMuslimarmy,theChristiansbecame veryfearfulandpetitionedforpeace.Rasulullah()acceptedtheirrequestandapact ofpeacewasconcluded.Afterastayof20daysatTobk,Rasulullah()returnedto MadinahTayyibah.Thedurationofthewholejourneywastwomonths. OnhiswaybacktoMadinah,NabieAkram()setfiretotheplaceknownasMusjid eDhiraar.ThiswasnotatrueMusjid.ItwasestablishedbytheMunaafiqeenasavenueof conspiracyforplottingagainsttheMuslims. TheFirstHajj ThefirstHajjofIslamwasexecutedinthisyear.Adetachmentof300MuslimsunderHadhratAbu Bakr(radhiyallahuanhu)lefttomakethenecessaryHajjarrangements.ThereafterHadhratAli (karramallahuwajhah)wasdespatchedtoannouncethetotaldissociationfromthekuffaar.These versesofBaraaah(severingtieswiththekuffaarandannullingthepacts)arementionedinSurah Baraaah. ChiefoftheMunaafiqeen InthemonthofThilQadh,AbdullahBinUbaySalool,theleaderoftheHypocritesdied.Purelyout ofgoodnessandonaccountofhiskindnessandloftydisposition,Rasulullah() presentedhiskurtahinwhichSaloolwasburied.Healsoparticipatedinthefuneralandburial.When NabieAkram()wasabouttoleadtheJanaazahSalaat,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahu anhu)objected,sayingthatAllahTaalasaidabouttheMunaafiqeen: Whetheryouaskforgivenessforthemornot(andeven)ifyouseektheirforgiveness70times, neverwillAllahforgivethem. Rasulullah(,)RahmatulLilAalameen,responded: IfIknowthattheywillbeforgivenifIseektheirforgivenessmorethan70times,thenIshalldo so. Hearingthisresponse,HadhratUmarmaintainedsilence.Thus,NabieAkram()led theJanaazahSalaat.Thereupon,thefollowingaayatwasrevealed: Donoteverperform(Janaazah)Salaatonanyofthem(theMunaafiqeen/kuffaar)norstandathis graveside ThisverseforalltimeprohibitedRasulullah()andhisUmmahfromparticipationin thefuneralandburialofanykaafir. TheKingofAbyssinia Najashi,theemperorofAbyssiniaalsodiedduringthisyear.Rasulullah()was informedofNajashisdeathviathemediumofWahi.HeassembledtheSahaabahandconducted NajashisJanaazahSalaatinabstentia(i.e.withoutthebodyofNajashibeingpresent). AccordingtotheHanafiMathhab,theperformanceofJanaazahSalaatwiththemayyit(deceased) inabstetiawasaprivilegeexclusivewithNabieAkram(.)Thedetailedexplanation forthiscouldbeobtainedfromtherelevantkitaabs.

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UmmeKulthoom HadhratUmmeKulthoom(radhiyallahuanha),thedaughterofNabieAkram() alsopassedawayinthisyear.

TenthYear
HajjatulWidaa ThisistheyearwhenRasulullah()performedHajjatulWidaaortheFarewellHajj. Itisknownassuchbecausehepassedawaythreemonthsafterthishajj. HedepartedfromMadinahMunawwarahonSaturday25thThilQadhafterZuhrSalaatandreached MakkahMukarramahon4thThilHajj.MorethanahundredthousandSahaabahhadaccompanied him.OntheoccasionofthisHajjhedeliveredseveraldiscourses.Theessenceofallhistalkswas: Learnthelaws(ofIslam)wellbecausewemaynotmeethereagaininfuture. Amongtheadvicesandadmonitionhegavearethefollowing: Yourblood,wealthandreputationaresacred,tobehonouredbyoneanother,justasthesanctityof thisday,thismonthandthiscity. Soon(i.e.afterdeath)youwillbegatheredinthepresenceofAllahTaala.Youwillbequestioned regardingyourdeeds. AllcustomsofJaahiliyyah(thetimesofignorance)havebeencrushedunderfoot.Revengefor bloodspilledinthetimesofJaahiliyyahisnottobedemanded. Alldebtsofriba(interest)arewaived. Donotadoptkufraftermydemisebyslittingeachothersthroats. ObeytherulerwhogovernsoveryouaccordingtheBookofAllah. FearAllahregardingfemales.Fulfiltheirrightsinfullmeasure. IamleavingtwothingswithyoutheQuraanandmySunnah. Afterhavingconcludedhisdiscourse,heasked: People!OntheDayofQiyaamahyouwillbequestionedaboutme.Whatwillyousay? Theassemblyresponded:WeshallsaythatyouhaddeliveredAllahsLawtous. Thereafter,raisinghisfingertowardstheheaven,heexclaimed:OAllah.Bewitness! AtthetimeofQurbaanihescarifiedonehundredcamels.Heslaughtered63withhisownblessed handwhileHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)slaughteredtheremaining37. SignsoftheEnd WhenthemissionofRasulullah()wasaccomplishedandtheDeenofIslamhad spreadtoeveryside,thetimehadapproachedforhimtoreturntoAllahTaala. AccordingtosomeUlama,SurahNasr wasrevealedduringthisHajj.Rasulullah()understoodfromthisSurahthathistime
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fordepartingfromthisearthlyabodehadapproached.Inthisregard,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahu anhu),inordertotesttheMashaikhofMakkah,askedthemaboutthecircumstancesforthe revelationofthisSurah.HadhratAbdullahBinAbbas(radhiyallahuanhu)respondedthatthisSurah conveyedthetidingsofRasulullahsimminentdemise.HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)concurred withhim. TherewerealsoothersignswhichapprizedNabieAkram()oftheapproachofhis Maut.He,therefore,oncesaidtothegatheringofSahaabah: AllahhasgrantedoneofhisservantsthechoiceofeitherlivingonearthorbyAllah.Theservant haschosentolivebyAllah. Thisstatementimpliedthathisdeathwascloseathand.HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu) immediatelyunderstoodtheimplication.Whilesheddingtears,hesaid:Maymymotherandfather besacrificedforyou.Whatisitthatyouaresaying? ExpressinghispleasureatHadhratAbuBarksintelligenceandhisfathomingofthemeaningofthe statement,NabieAkram()said: IfIhavetobefriendanyperson,itwouldbeAbuBakr,butAbuBakrismyDeenibrother. Afterhavingmadethisstatement,Rasulullah()orderedthatbesidesthewindowof AbuBakr,allotherwindowsopeningintotheMusjidbeclosedup.AccordingtotheUlama,this instructionpointedtowardstheKhilaafatofHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu). HisLastIllness Hewasatfirstovertakenbyaheadachefollowedbyaseverefever.Atthistimehewasstayingwith HadhratMaimunah(radhiyallahuanha).Takingpermissionfromherandhisotherwiveshemoved intotheapartmentofHadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha).Duringthesedaysofindispositionhe wouldattendtheMusjidforNamaaz.Whentheillnesshaddeterioratedgreatly,heinstructed HadhratAbuBakrtoleadtheNamaaz.HadhratAishahsaid:ORasulullah!AbuBakrisverytender ofheart.EntrustthisservicetoUmar. HadhratHafsah(HadhratUmarsdaughter)supportedtheproposalputforwardbyHadhratAishah. Reprimandingbothhiswives,NabieAkram()said: AllahandtheMuslimswillnotacceptanyonebesidesAbuBakr.Therefore,tellAbuBakrtolead theSalaat. WhileRasulullah()wasalive,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)ledtheSalaat seventeentimes.OnoneoccasionwhenRasulullah()feltaslightimprovementinhis condition,heenteredtheMusjidandsatatthesideofAbuBakrwhowasleadingtheSalaat.Most probablythiswasonaSaturdayatthetimeofZuhr. Rasulullah()hadlearntthattheMuhaajireenandAnsaarwerecryingwithgriefon accountofhisseparationfromthemcausedbyillness.Beingthespiritualfather,hecouldnotbear theirgrief.HethereforecameleaningontheshouldersofHadhratAliandHadhratFadhlBinAbbas. Onaccountofextremeweakness,hecouldnotwalkbyhimself.Hewasbroughttothemimbar wherehesatdownonthefirststepanddeliveredabriefdiscourseinwhichheofferedmanyadvices

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totheSahaabah.Amongthethingshesaidwere: IhaveheardthatyouarefearfuloftheimpendingdemiseofyourNabi.HasanyRasoollived foreveronearth?Undoubtedly,IamabouttomeetAllah.Youtoowillmeetmeafterashortwhile. Remember!Iamgoingaheadandyouwillfollowtomeetme.Ishallmeetyouatthefountainof Kauthar.Listen!WhoeverwishestomeetmeattheFountofKautharshouldrefrainfrommisusing hishandsandtongue.Hear!Whenthesubjectsarevirtuous,thekingtoobecomesvirtuousandifthe subjectsareevil,thekingtooisevil.IexhorttheAnsaarandtheMuhaajireentotreatoneanother withkindness. Afterthistalk,hereturnedtotheapartmentofHadhratAishah.Thereafterheonceagain,liftedthe curtainofhisroomduringFajrSalaatandforthelasttimegazedattheSahaabah.Whenthey observedthis,theywereclosetobreakingtheirSalaat,butNabieAkram() beckonedtothemtocontinueandhedroppedthecurtain.Thishappenedonthe10thRabiulAwwal. OnthisdayHadhratAishahobservedthathisgazewasfocussedontheheavensandhewas repeatedlysaying: OAllah!TheHighestFriend! Sheunderstoodthatthetimeforhisdeparturefromthisearthlyabodewasimminent.Withinashort whilehewasunitedwithhisHighestFriend.

ThenewsofRasulullahsdemisespreadlikewildfire.TheSahaabahwhoseheartswerebrimming withhislovewerestunnedandcouldhardlyaccepttherealityofhisdemise.Evenapowerfuland bravemanlikeHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)losthiscomposure.Hestoodwithhissword drawn,threateningtoslayanyonewhosaidthatMuhammad()haddied.Itwasonly thepresenceofamanofHadhratAbuBakrsstaturewhocouldbringthesituationundercontrol. Takingintheexplosivescene,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)enteredtheMusjidand deliveredaspeech.ConsolingtheSahaabah,hesaid: People!ThosewhoworshippedMuhammadshouldknowthathehasdied.Whoeverworships AllahshouldknowthatmostcertainlyHeisaliveandthatHewillremaineternallyalive. Hethenrecitedthegraciousaayat:

And,MuhammadisonlyaRasool(DivineMessenger).Verily,Messengershavegonebybefore him.What!Ifhediesoriskilled,willyouturnonyourheels? Thisdiscourserestoredcalmandrationality.TheSahaabahwereconvincedofRasulullahsdeath. Afterghusl,theJanaazahwasplacedinHadhratAishahsroom.TheSahaabahenteredingroups. EachgroupperformedJanaazahSalaat.

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MiscellaneousAnecdotes
ThepurposeofthisbookisnottocoverthebattlesofRasulullah(.)Theanecdotes relevanttothisbookarethoseepisodeswhichpertaintomujaahaadat(strivingsagainstthenafs), patience,tolerance,etc.Sincetheseloftyattitudesareconspicuouslyborneoutinthestoriesofthe battles,theyhavebeenbrieflydiscussed. Nowwillbepresentedsomeanecdotesregardingthepoverty,abstinence(zuhd)andhardshipsof Rasulullah(.)TheseanecdotesarereproducedfromKhasaaileNabawi,theUrdu translationofShamaaileTirmizi. RasulullahsAbstinence 1)HadhratQeelahsaidthatshesawRasulullah()withtwowornoutpiecesofcloth drapedaroundhim(alowerclothandaclotharoundtheupperpartofhisbody).Cladintheseold garments,hewouldsitinthestyleofthepoor.Oncewhilesittinginthiswaywithadatebranchin hismubaarakhand,amancametohim.Thisforlornstategeneratedinthismansomuchawethathe begantoshiverwithfear,Rasulullah()toldhimtoregainhiscomposure.Withthis instruction,themanbecamecalm. Rasulullah()adoptedthegarmentsofthepoorbecauseoftawaadhu(humility).Itis forthisreasonthattheSufiyaatooadoptthestateoffaqr(poverty).Thisstyleinculcateshumility andnegatestakabbur(pride). 2)MalikBinDinar(rahmatullahalayh)narratesthatRasulullahwouldnevereattothepointof satiationunlesstherewereguests.Forthesakeoftheguestshewouldcontinueeatingbecauseifhe stopped,thegueststoowouldceaseeatingandremainhungry. 3)Rasulullah()saidthathedidnotfearpovertyandhungerfortheUmmah.Onthe contrary,hefearedthattheearthwouldbecomegenerous(pouringoutitswealth)fortheUmmahas ithadbecomegenerousfornationsofbygonetimes.You(Muslims)willthenbecomeengrossedin theworldasformerpeoplehadbecomeengrossed.Theworldwillthendestroyyoujustasithad destroyedthosepeople,hesaid. OnceRasulullah()supplicated: OAllah!BestowsustenancetotheprogenyofMuhammadtosufficefortheirneeds. 4)HadhratNumanBinBishr(radhiyallahuanhu)said: Areyounotengrossedineatingaccordingtoyourdesire?IhaveseenRasulullah() nothavingenoughofevenlowqualitydates. 5)HadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha)saidthatattimesthefirewasnotlitintheirhomesfora month.Theywouldbesatisfiedwithdatesandwater.Inanothernarrationitissaidthatsometimes thefireinRasulullahshomeswouldbelitonlyaftertwomonthshadpassed.Whenthemoonofthe thirdmonthwassighted,thenonlywasthefirelit.Thismeansthattherewasnothingavailablefor cooking,hencethefirewouldnotbeignited. AccordingtotheUlama,inspiteoftheabundanceofwealthacquiredfromthebattles,Rasulullah ()maintainedthisconditionorpovertyfrombeginningtoend.

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6)OnceHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)presentedalegofmuttontoRasulullah( .)Itwasnighttime.Althoughtherewasnolampinthehouse,HadhratAishahengagedherself incuttingupthemeat.Whensomeonecommentedonthedarkness,shesaidthatiftherewasoilfor thelamp,shewouldratheruseitinthefood. 7)HadhratAbuTalhah(radhiyallahuanhu)saysthatwhentheycomplainedaboutextremehunger andshowedNabieAkram()thestonestiedaroundtheirstomachs,hepointedto twostonestiedtohisstomachonaccountoftheseverityofhunger.ThisindicatedthatRasulullahs hungerwasgreater. 8)OnceRasulullah()cameunexpectedlyoutofhishome.Itwasneitherhisnormal practicetocomeoutatthistimenorwouldanyonevisithimatthishour.Suddenly,HadhratAbu Bakr(radhiyallahuanhu)appearedonthescene.WhenNabieAkram()enquiredof hiscomingatthisunexpectedhour,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)said: IhavecometogreetandvisittheBeautywhichadornstheuniverse. ThehighdegreeofcompatibilitywhichexistedbetweenHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)and NabieAkram()renderedthemasinglesoulintwophysicalbodies.Rasulullahs unexpectedemergenceexercisedaspiritualinfluenceonHadhratAbuBakr,hencehetoocameout unexpectedly. ThisspiritualunitywithRasulullah()istheprimefactorfortheKhilaafatofAbu BakrimmediatelysucceedingtheNubuwwatofMuhammad(.) Soonthereafter,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)arrived.Whenaskedforhisunexpectedcoming, hesaidthatextremehungerconstrainedhimtocome.Rasulullah()saidthathetoo wasfeelingthepangsofhunger.ThedifferenceintheranksofthesetwoseniorSahaabahcanbe assessedfromtheirrespectivereplies.HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)regardedtheziyaarat ofNabieKareem()tobetheremedyforhishunger.TheUlamahavewrittenthat HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)hadrefrainedfrommentioninghishungeronthisoccasionto saveRasulullah()fromgrief. ThethreefriendssetoffforthehomeofAbulHatheemAnsari(radhiyallahuanhu)whowasan affluentmaninMadinah.AtthesametimehewasalsoasardentdevoteeofNabieAkram( .)Hewas,however,notpresent,havinggonetofetchwater.Thethreewaitedforhim.When hereturnedhewasecstaticwithjoyathisgoodfortune.Hewasimmenselyproudofthepresenceof thethreenobleseniorsinhishome.Heembracedthemandtookthemintohisorchard.After spreadingacarpetforhisguestshepresentedbunchesofavarietyofdates.Afterhavingeatenthe dates,anddrinkingwater,Rasulullah()whoseeverymomentwasdevotedforthe taleemoftheUmmah,said: ItakeoathbyThatBeinginWhosecontrolismylife!These(i.e.thedates)tooareamongthe bountiesaboutwhichareckoningwillbetakenontheDayofQiyaamah. ThisstatementreferstotheQuraanicaayat: Most,certainly,youwillbequestionedregardingthebounties. 9)HadhratSad(radhiyallahuanhu)saidthatintheinitialstageofIslamtheywouldwageJihaad withouthavinghadanythingtoeat.Theywouldeattheleavesoftreesandthesucculentpartsof cactustrees.Theirjawswouldthusdevelopsores.

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10)SomeoneaskedHadhratHafsah(radhiyallahuanha)regardingRasulullahsbed.Shesaidthatit wasapieceofsackclothwhichshewouldfoldandlayontheground.Onceinanattempttomakeit morecomfortableshefoldedthesackclothintofourlayers.Inthemorning,NabieAkram( )enquired: Whatdidyouspreadlastnight? Whensheinformedhimthatitwasthesamesackclothwhichshehadfoldedfourtimes,hesaid: Leaveitasusual.Itssoftnessaffectsrisingatnight. 11)UmmeSulaim[orSulqim](radhiyallahuanha)saidthatRasulullah()saidto her: Bepatient.IswearbyAllahthatinthehomesofMuhammad()therehasbeen nothingforthepastsevendaysandforthreedaysthefiredidnotkindleunderthepot.Iswearby AllahthatifIaskAllahTaalatotransformallthemountainsofThaamahintogold,thenmost assuredly,Hewilldoso. RasulullahsIbaadat EveryactionandrestofRasulullah()areibaadat.Everystatementanddeedare manifestationsofabdiyat(theconditionofbeingaslave).Everyspeechandsilencearethikr (remembranceofAllah)andfikr(contemplation).Afewanecdotesofhisibaadatwillbementioned here. MughirahBinShubah(radhiyallahuanhu)narratesthatRasulullahsblessedfeetwouldbecome swollenonaccountoftheverylongrakatsofNaflSalaat.WhentheSahaabahsaid: Youenduresomuchhardship(inibaadat)althoughAllahTaalahascompletelyforgivenyou. Rasulullah()replied: WhenAllahTaalahasconferredthisgreatfavouronme,shouldIthennotbegrateful? TheSahaabahspurposeinaskingthisquestionwasthatapparentlytheaimofibaadatisthe effacementofsins.SinceRasulullah()wassinless,theycouldnotunderstandthe reasonforundergoingsomuchdifficultyinibaadat.Rasulullahsanswerimpliedthatthiswasnot theonlypurposeofibaadat.Besidestheacquisitionofforgiveness,thereareotheraimsofibaadatas well.NowwhenAllahTaalahascompletelyforgivenhim,theaimoftheibaadatistoexpress gratitude. HadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)saidthatsometimestheaimofibaadatisthedesiretogain Jannat,etc.Thisistheibaadatoftradersbecausethemotiveunderlyingthisworshipistoexchange ibaadatforreward.Sometimesibaadatisforthefearofpunishment.Thisistheibaadatofservants whorendertheirserviceonaccountoffearfortheemployer.Onetypeofworshipissuchibaadat whichisnotmotivatedbyeitherdesireorfear,butisrenderedsolelyasanexpressionofgratitude forthefavoursofAllahTaala.Thisistheibaadatoffreepeople. HadhratAta(radhiyallahuanhu)saidthatheonceaskedHadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha)to narratesomewonderfulactofRasulullah(.)Sherespondedthateveryactof NabieAkram()waswonderful.Thensheadded: OnenightRasulullah()camehometosleep.Hesleptwithme.Afterashortwhile hesaid:IshallworshipmyRabb.Hethenstoodup,madewudhuandengagedhimselfinSalaat.
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Hestartedtocrysomuchthatthetearsflowedonhisblessedbreast.Hethenwentintorukuwhere healsocried.Hethenwentintosajdahandagaincried.Heliftedhisheadfromsajdahandcried again.ThisconditionremaineduntilthemorninguntilBilalcametocallhimfortheFajrSalaat.I askedhim:WhydoyoucrysomuchwhenAllahhasforgivenyoucompletely?Hereplied:Should Ithennotbegrateful. Hethenadded: WhyshouldInotdosowhentodaywasrevealedtometheseversesHethenrecitedthelast rukuofAaleImraan. TheUlamahavewrittenthatafterrisingfromsleep,abitoftheQuraanShareefshouldberecited, forthisproducescheerfulness.FurthermoreitisMustahabtorecitetheseverses.(Thelastrukuof SurahBaqarah.) AccordingtotheHadiththeseaayatshouldberecitedespeciallyatnight.Thereaderwill, InshaAllah,beprotectedagainstmanycalamitiesTranslator. RasulullahsCrying 1)HadhratAbdullahBinShikhkheer(radhiyallahuanhu)narrates: IcametoRasulullah()andfoundhiminSalaat.Onaccountofcryingasoundlike theboilingofakettlewasemittingfromhisbreast. 2)HadhratAbdullahBinMasud(radhiyallahuanhu)narrates: Rasulullah()oncesaidtome:ReciteformetheQuraan.Isaid:ORasulullah!It wasrevealedtoyou.HowcanIreciteittoyou?Hesaid:Myheartdesirestohearitfromyou. Inobediencetothecommand,IstartedtoreciteSurahNisaa.WhenIreachedtheverse:

Iglancedathisblessedfaceandsawtearsstreamingfrombothhiseyes. AccordingtotheUlama,thereareseveralreasonsforcrying: Onaccountofthebenefactorskindnessandfavour. Happiness. Becauseofpain,worry,hardship,oppression. CryingbecauseofTaubah.Tearsflowonaccountoftheremorseforhavingcommitted transgression. Hypocriticalcrying.Suchcryingistodeceivepeopleortocreatetheideaofonespiety. Customarycryingsuchasontheoccasionofadeath.Peopleareeitherpaidtocryortheycry gratis.Thisismerelytoupholdcustom(whichisinvogueinsomecommunities). Cryinginsympathywhenanotherisseencrying. RasulullahscryingwasgenerallytheresultofloveandmercyorfearfortheUmmahoroutoffear orloveforAllahTaala. IhaveobservedallmyseniorscryingmuchduringNamaazandThikr.Ihadtheoccasionof frequentlyseeingtwobuzrugssobbingprofuselymyfatherandHadhratAqdasShaikhulIslam MaulanaMadani.SometimesIwasrousedfrommysleepbecauseoftheirsobbing.

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IhaveheardthatthesoundofsobbingofImaamRabbaaniatthetimeofZuhrwhenhewould engageinThikrorTilaawat,couldbeheardoutsidehisroom.

KHULAFAERAASHIDEEN
SincethistreatiseisabookonthelivesoftheChishtiSilsilah,thelogicaldemandistonarratethe lifeofHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)afterRasulullah()becauseinthisSilsilah appearsHadhratAlisnameafterthenameofNabieAkram(.)Nevertheless, somethingofthelivesoftheotherthreeKhulafaaeRaashideenwillbepresentedbecause,inreality, thetazkarah(discussion)oftheKhulafaaeRaashideenissupplementarytothetazkarahof Rasulullah(.)Infact,itistheclosingchapterofadiscussiononRasulullahslife. AccordingtosomeMashaikhthethreeKhulafaa(radhiyallahuanhum)playanimportantroleinthe spiritualandmoralexcellenciesofHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah),theHeadofTariqat. Furthermore,theseMashaikhalsonarratethemediumoftheKhulafaeRashideenintheSalaasil eArba(theFourChainsofTasawwuf).Itis,therefore,consideredappropriatetopresentbrief discussionsofthethreeKhulafabeforecommencingthenamesequenceofthistreatise(i.e.the sequenceoftheMashaikhastheirnamesappearintheChainmentionedonpage10.

HADHRATABUBAKRSIDDIQUE()
AfterthedemiseofRasulullah()hisvicegerencyineveryrespectdevolvedto HadhratAbuBakrSiddique(radhiyallahuanhu).ByvirtueoftheBayt(OathofAllegiance)ofthe MuhaajireenandAnsaar,hewasappointedtheKhalifah.WhileQuraanicversesalludetoHadhrat AbuBakrskhilaafat,theAhaadithofRasulullah()inthisregardareexplicit. TheHadith, AllahandtheMumineenrefusetoaccept(anyone)butAbuBakr.,isexplicitontheissueofAbu Barkssuccession.Themostimportantconsiderationinthisregardisthetotalaccordbetweenthe heartsofRasulullah()andHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu).Thishasbeen statedclearlybyHafizIbnHajr(rahmatullahalayh).Laami,Vol.2,page452.Numerousincidents beartestimonytothemutualaccordandunityoftheirhearts,e.g.theanecdoteofAbulHatheems invitationwhichhasalreadybeenexplainedafewpagesearlier.Alsoontheoccasionof Hudaibiyyah,theanswerswhichHadhratAbuBakrgavetothequestionsofHadhratUmarwerethe sameasthosegivenbyRasulullah()althoughhe(AbuBakr)wasnotawarethereof. RegardingthecaptivesofBadr,theopinionofHadhratAbuBakrconformedtotheopinionof Rasulullah(.) ThedescriptionofHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)givenbyIbnDaghnaconformstothe descriptionofRasulullah()givenbyHadhratKhadijah(radhiyallahuanha). Inadditiontotheseclearindicationsofhissuccession,HadhratAbuBakrskhilaafatwasestablished bythepopularBaytoftheSahaabahafterthedemiseofNabieAkram(.) Accordingtothemostauthoritativeversion,hisnamewasAbdullah.DuringthetimeofJaahiliyyah hisnamewasAbdulKabah.SomesaythathisnamewasAteeq.However,thereliableversionis
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thatAteeqwashistitle. Hisgenealogicaltreeis: AbdullahthesonofAbuQuhafah,thesonofAmir,thesonofAmr,thesonofKab,thesonof Tameem,thesonofMurrah,thesonofKab,thesonofLuway,thesonofGhalibilQurshiTaimi. ThelineageofHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)meetswiththatofRasulullah( )inMurrahBinKab. Thenameofhisfather,AbuQuhafahwasUthmanwhoembracedIslaminthe8thyearof Nubuwwatattheageof90years. HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)isknownbyavarietyoftitles.AccordingtoHadhratAishah (radhiyallahuanha),whilehousefolkwouldcallhimAbdullah,hewasgenerallyknownbythetitle, Ateeq.SomesaythathewascalledAteeqbecauseofhishandsomeness.Otherssaythatonaccount ofhiseagernessforvirtuehewasnamedAteeq.Anotherviewisthatheiscalledsobecausehis lineagewasfreefromtheslightestblemish.AccordingtothenarrationofTirmizi,thereasonforthe titleofAteeqistheannouncementofhissalvationfromJahannam. Hisfamoustitle,however,isSiddique.Thereisdifferenceofopinionregardingtheoccasionwhen hewasawardedthistitle.Accordingtosome,hewasknownbythisblessedtitleevenduringthe timeofJaahiliyyahbecauseofhisoutstandingqualityoftruthfulness.However,thewellknown versionisthatontheoccasionofMiraaj,Rasulullah()wasapprehensiveabout peopleacknowledgingthetruthofthismiraculousjourney.Jibraeel(alayhissalaam)assured NabieAkram()thatAbuBakrwillacknowledgeitstruthbecauseheisaSiddique. InTaafikhulKhulafaisrecordedthenarrationofMustadrakinwhichNazalBinSubrahsaid: WeaskedAliregardingAbuBakr.Hesaid:HeisamanwhowasgiventhetitleofSiddiqueby AllahviatheagencyofJibraeel(alayhissalaam)andMuhammad()inSalaathewas therepresentativeofRasulullah(.)ThemanwhomRasulullah() choseforourDeen(i.e.Salaat),wechoseforourDunya(Khilaafat). AccordingtoTibrani,HakeemBinSadnarratedthatHadhratAli(radhiyallahuanhu)tookanoath thatthetitleSiddiquewasrevealedbyAllahfromtheheavensforAbuBakr.

AbuBakrsAcceptanceofIslam
AmongthefirstpersonstoacceptIslamwasHadhratAbuBakrSiddique(radhiyallahuanhu).When hepresentedhimselftoNabieAkram()foracceptingIslam,hedidnotrequestfor anymiracletobedisplayed.HeonlyaskedabouttheProphethoodandimmediatelyacceptedIslam. AccordingtoNabieAkram(,)hehaddiscernedadegreeofuncertaintyineveryone towhomhehadpresentedIslam,saveAbuBakrwhoacceptedIslamwithouttheslightesthesitation. IntheinceptionalstageofIslam,theSahaabaheKiraamconcealedtheirDeenbecauseofthe oppressionandpersecutionofthekuffaar.WhentheMuslimsnumbered39,HadhratAbuBakr requestedpermissiontopropagateIslampublicly.Afterpersistinginhisrequest,NabieAkram

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()consented.Takingasmallgroupwithhim,HadhratAbuBakrwenttoBaitullaah anddeliveredaKhutbah.ThiswastheveryfirstkhutbahofIslam.Althoughhisprominenceand honourwereacceptedinthecommunity,ashecommencedthekhutbah,hewassoseverelyassaulted thathisfacewasdyedredwithhisblood.Hisnose,ears,etc.werebadlywounded.Itwasdifficultto recognisehim.Hewasbeaten,pushedandkicked.Theydidwithhimwhatevertheyhaddesired. Theseverityoftheassaultrenderedhimunconscious.Histribesmenbroughthimhomewherehe revivedduringtheevening.Thefirstwordswhichcametohislipswere: HowisMuhammad(?) Onhearingthesewords,thosewhowerecaringforhim,left.Theywereastonishedandangered becauseofhisdevotionforamanwhowasindirectlythecauseofthecalamitywhichhehad suffered. Hismother,UmmeKhairinsistedthathepartakesofsomefoodanddrink,buthetookanoaththat aslongashehasnotseenRasulullah(,)hewillneithereatnordrink.Afterthe greaterpartofthenighthadpassedandallwasquiet,hewenttoRasulullah(.)He criedprofuselyandsodidNabieAkram(.)TheSahaabahtoobrokedownwith griefandwereintears.Inthismeeting,HadhratAbuBakrrequestedRasulullah()to makeduafortheguidanceofhismother.Theduawasmade,andsheembracedIslamthesameday. AseparatevolumeisrequiredtorecordthelifestoryofHadhratAbuBakrSiddiqueeAkbar (radhiyallahuanhu)irrespectiveofthebrevityofthebiographyonewishestowrite.Howthenisit possibletowritecomprehensivelyonevenoneaspectinthesefewpages?Thefactofhimbeingthe firsttoacceptIslamisofthegreatestsignificance.Thisactofhisrequiresconsiderableelaboration. ThenthereistheepisodeofhiscontemplatedmigrationtoAbyssinia.Hesetoutwiththisintention, butwasmetalongthewaybyIbnDaghnahwhopersuadedhimtoreturn.IbnDaghnahsaid: Amanofyourcalibrecanneitherbeexpellednotleave(ofhisownaccord).Youarethesourceof livelihoodofthedestitute.Youarekindtofamilymembers.Youlifttheburdenofpeople.Youare hospitableandyouaidothersintheiraffairs. ReferringtoHadhratAbuBakr,theQuraansays: thesecondofthetwo,whenbothwereinthecave(andhe)saidtohisfriend(AbuBakr):Donot grieve.Verily,Allahiswithus. ThecompanionshipofHadhratAbuBakrwithRasulullah()isconfirmedabsolutely bythisQuraanicaayat.EverywordofthisQuraanicstatementatteststotheloftystatusofHadhrat AbuBakrSiddique(radhiyallahuanhu).Therearenumerousconspicuousevidencesconfirminghis loveanddevotionforRasulullah(.)HismigrationtoMadinahTayyibahinthe companyofNabieAkram()isverysignificant.Whatthencanonesayandwriteof hisexcellencies? InSurahAlLailarethepraisesoftheonewhospendsinthePathofAllah.ThispertainstoHadhrat SiddiquewhorenderedhisactsofcharityforthepleasureofAllahTaala.Healsoisgiventheglad tidingsofthehappinessofJannat. HeistheveryzenithofSulook,havingattainedthepinnacleofDivineProximityandAssociation.In thebeginningofHijrathereceivedthisabsoluteannouncement.Thereafter,fortenyearshe
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remainedinthecompanionshipofNabieAkram()actingattimesashisvicegerent andrepresentative.Whatcanahumblemansuchasmyself(i.e.thenobleauthor)inthisfourteenth centurywriteofHadhratAbuBakrsexcellencesandloftystatus?Nevercananypenrenderjustice tothissubject. Inhisattributesandcharacterhewasunique.Ontheoccasionoftheirtidaad(renegingfromIslam) ofcertaintribes,hedisplayedunparalleledcouragewhichstunnedeventhebraveUmar (radhiyallahuanhu)whohadcautionedagainstimmediateaction.Rejectingtheprofferedadviceof caution,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)tauntedHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)forhis indecisivenessindealingwiththemurtaddeen.Hethussaid: What!YouwerepowerfulinthetimeofJahiliyyahand(nowbehave)cowardlyinIslam! HadhratUmarstestimonyisampleevidencefortheloftystatusofHadhratAbuBakrsknowledge, virtues,generosity,munificence,piety,forbearance,patience,humility,intelligence,expertiseinthe interpretationofdreams,knowledgeofgenealogy,prose,eloquence,etc. HadhratAli(radhiyallahuanhu)saidthatwhoevernarratesahadithtohim,hewouldasa precautionarymeasureputthenarratorunderoath,exceptHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu). Hewasfarabovethismeasure. ThistrueanddevotedcompanionandsuccessorofRasulullah()embodiedinhim everyexcellenceandqualificationtothedegreeofperfection. AfewanecdotespertainingtotheabundanceofhisibaadatandtheforceofhisImaanwhichinfact arethebasisoftheChishtiyyah,willnowbepresented. IbnAsakirrecordsthenarrationofIbnSireeninwhichitappearsthatAbdurRahman(thesonof AbuBakr),whohadnotyetembracedIslam,hadjoinedthekuffaarintheBattleofBadr.Oneday afterhehadembracedIslam,hesaidtohisfather: InBadryouwereinmylineofaction.However,beingmyfather,Iturnedawayfromyou. Inotherwords,althoughhewasinpositiontoslayhisfather,HadhratAbuBakr,hedidnotdoso duetopaternalconsideration.HadhratAbuBakrreplied: Ifyouhadcomeinfrontofme,Iwouldnothavehesitatedtoslayyou. HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)wasoriginallyatrader.Accordingtohistorianshepossessed 40,000dinars(goldcoins)atthetimeofenteringthefoldofIslam.Hecontinuedtospendhiswealth forthesakeofIslamuntilfinallyhebroughtwhateverwaslefttoRasulullah()for useinaJihaadcampaign.WhenNabieAkram()enquiredoftheprovisionshehad leftforhisfamily,hereplied: IhaveleftforthemAllahandHisRasool. HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)wasalwaysawaitinganopportunitytosurpassHadhratAbuBakr (radhiyallahuanhu)inanactofvirtue.Onthisparticulardayhehadbroughtalongconsiderable

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wealth.WhenRasulullah()askedhim: Whathaveyouleftforyourfamily? HadhratUmarrepliedthathehadlefthalfofwhathehadownedforhisfamily.Theotherhalfwas hiscontributiontowardstheJihaadeffort.Hewasundertheimpressionthathewouldsurpass HadhratAbuBakronthisday.But,whenhelearntofHadhratAbuBakrsanswer,heunderstood thathewouldneverbeabletosurpasshiminvirtue. PreciselyonaccountofthesemanifoldexcellenciesofHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)did Rasulullah()saythatbesidesAbuBakr,hehadcompensatedthefavoursofeveryone else.OntheDayofQiyaamah,AllahTaalawillcompensatehim.

TheStrengthofHisImaan
IsmailinarratesthatHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)said: WhenRasulullah()passedaway,theepisodeofirtidaadoccurredinArabiaand peopleofdefectivefaithrefusedtopayZakaat,IwenttoAbuBakrandsaid: OKhalifahofRasulullah!Betenderwiththepeopleandwinovertheirhearts.Terrorhasstruck them. AbuBakrsaid:Iwashopingforyouraid.DuringthetimeofJahiliyyahyouwereverystrongand hard.ButinIslamyouhavebecomeweak.InwhichmattershouldIwinovertheirhearts?ShouldI winthemoverbymeansoffabricatingpoetryorbybewitchingthem?Alas!Alas!Rasulullah( )haspassedaway.Wahihasceased.IswearbyAllahthatIshallwageJihaadagainst themaslongasIhaveinmyhandthestrengthtobearasword.Iftheywithholdfrommeevena stringwhichtheyusedtopresenttoRasulullah(,)Ishallfightthem. HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)commented: IfoundAbuBakrfirmerandstrongerthanmyself.Hehadpavedthepathandthissimplifiedforme theaffairsduringmykhilaafat.

TheKhalifahsWages
IbnSadnarratesthatAtaBinAsSaibsaidthatafterHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)was appointedtheKhalifah,hewasgoingtothemarketplacewithsomesheetsonhisarm.When HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)questionedhim,hesaid:Ihavebeenharnessedintotheaffairsof theMuslims.Iamnowgoingtothemarketplacetoobtainfoodforthefamily. HadhratUmarsaid:LetusgotoAbuUbaidah.Hewillarrangeawageforyou. AbuUbaidahwasinchargeoftheBaitulMaal.BothwenttoAbuUbaidah.Asumwhichsufficed foramiddleclassMuhaajirwasfixedastheKhalifahswage.Accordingtosomenarrationsthe wagewasinsufficientforhisneedsbecauseofhislargefamily,henceitwasincreased. TibraninarratesthatHadhratHasan(radhiyallahuanhu)saidthatHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahu

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anhu)duringhislastillness,instructedHadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha): AftermydeathhandovertoUmarthismilkcamelanddishwhichweregiventomeonaccountof mykhilaafat. Thus,afterhisdemisetheseitemswereassignedtothecustodyofHadhratUmar(radhiyallahu anhu).ThereuponHadhratUmarlamented: AbuBakr!MayAllahhavemercyonyou.Youhaveimposedagreatdifficultyonthekhulafawho willfollowyou. HadhratUmarmeantthatotherswillnotbeabletoexercisethishighdegreeofcaution.

AbuBakrsDeath
HewasborntwoyearsandsomemonthsafterRasulullah(.)Itappearsfromsome narrationsthathewasolderthanRasulullah(.)However,theUlamasaythatthis latterviewisnotcorrect.WhenhereachedtheageofRasulullah(63(yearshe died. Regardinghislastillness,thereisdifferenceofopinion.AccordingtoHadhratUmarsnarrationin Hakim,aspiritualgriefovertookAbuBakrafterRasulullahsdemise.Thisincreasedbythedayuntil hepassedaway. AccordingtoZuhri,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)wasgivensomepoisonedfoodwhichhe andHarithBinKaldah(radhiyallahuanhu)atepartly.Bothremainedillforayearanddiedonthe sameday.HadhratShabi(radhiyallahuanhu)said: Whatcanoneexpectfromthisdespicableworld?Rasulullah()waspoisonedandso wasAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu). HadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha)saysthatthe7thJamadithThaani,aMonday,wasanextremely coldday.HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)aftertakingabathbecamefeverish.Onaccountof thecoldthefeverwasseverefor15days.HewasunabletoattendtheMusjidforSalaat.Hediedon Tuesday21stJamadithThaaniduringthenight.Accordingtosomenarrations,hehadaskedAishah whatdayitwas.WhenhewastoldthatitwasMonday,hesaid: WhenIdie,donotdelaymyburial. AnothernarrationstatesthathehadaskedtobetoldthedayonwhichRasulullah() haddied.WhenhewasinformedthatitwasonaTuesday,hesaid: Itoohopetodietonight. ThedurationofHadhratAbuBakrskhilaafatewastwoyears,threemonthsandninedays.

MiscellaneousAnecdotes
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1)Oncewhenhiswifeexpressedthedesireforsomethingsweettoeat,HadhratAbuBakr (radhiyallahuanhu)saidthathehadnomoneywithwhichtobuyanything.Hiswifesuggestedthat theyshouldsavesomethingfromtheirdailyfoodallowance.Withinafewdaystheamountsaved willbesufficienttobuysomethingsweet.HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)consented.She begansavingasmallsumdaily.Afterafewdays,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)said:Itis apparentthatthisamount(whichwasbeingsaveddailyfromthefoodallowance)wearereceiving fromtheBaitulMaalisinexcessofourneeds.HethentookthesavingsandhandedittotheBaitul Maal.Hefurtherissuedinstructionsforhiswagesinfuturetobedecreasedbythisamount. 2)OnceHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)wenttotheorchardwherehesawabirdsittinginthe shadeofatree.Heheavedasighandsaid: Obird!Howfortunateareyou!Youeatthefruitoftreesyousitintheirshadeandyouwillattain salvationintheHereafterwithouthavingtogiveanaccount.IwishAbuBakrtoowaslikeyou. Frequentlyhewouldexclaimtohimself: IwishIwasthepropertyofaMuslimservantofAllah. IwishIwasatreethatcouldbecutandeaten. IwishIwasgrasswhichanimalscouldeat. 3)Asmaisaid:WhenAbuBakrwaspraised,hewouldsay: OAllah!YouknowmyconditionbetterthanmeandIknowmyconditionmorethanthesepeople whoarepraisingme.OAllah!Makemebetterthanwhattheyarethinkingofmeandforgivemy evilofwhichtheyarenotaware.Donotapprehendmeonwhattheyaresaying. 4)OnceduringhiskhilaafathewasseeingoffthearmywhichwasproceedingtothelandofShaam. Heaccompaniedthearmyforaverylongdistance.Hiscompanionssaid: OKhalifahofRasulullah!Youarewalkingonfootwhileweareriding. HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)responded: WiththesestepsIamseekingforgivenessformysins.ThesestepsofmineareinthePathof Allah. 5)Hesaid: GlorytoThatBeingWhohasleftnoavenueofHisMarifatforHisservantsexcepttheirinability ofacquiringHisMarifat.(i.e.Thisinabilitybecomestheavenue.Despiteeffort,manisunableto acquireMarifatofAllah.AllahTaalaultimately,opensupthewayfortheacquisitionofHis Marifat.) (Theinner,deeperandspiritualrecognitionbythebaatiniheartofAllahTaalaistermedmarifat. ThebandahcanneveracquiredivineMarifatbyhiseffortsandworship.Thecreatedandfinitemind andheartofmanarewhollyincapableofmountingthePlatformofMarifatoftheUncreated, InfiniteandEternalBeing.ButwhenthisweakbandahyearnsforhisBelovedCreatorandMaster andhemoveshisweakhandsandlegsinthedirectionofhisRabb,thenAllahTaalatakingpityon
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HisstrugglingservantopensuptheavenueofHisMarifat.Thisisthemeaningoftheafore mentionedstatementofHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu),thegreatestSufiafterRasulullah (Saws)Translator) 6)Hesaid: OnceamanhastastedDivineLove,hewillhavenotimeforthisworldandhewillfeel claustrophobicinthecompanyofpeople. 7)Duringhismaradhulmaut(lastillness)peoplecomingtovisithim,said: OKhalifahofRasulullah!Shouldwecallaphysicianforyou? HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)responded: Thephysicianhasalreadyseenme. Theyasked:Whatdidhesay? AbuBakrsaid:Thephysiciansaid:

Verily,HedoesasHepleases. 8)Oncewhenahunterwasbroughtintohispresence,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)said: AnanimaliskilledandatreeiscutwhentheirtermofThirkullahends. 9)Sometimeswhenthecamelsreinslippedfromhishand,hewouldmakethecamelsitdown, alightandpickupthereinhimself.Thecompanionswouldquery:Whydoyounotorderus?He wouldreply:MyBeloved()orderedmetorefrainfromaskingpeople. 10)HadhratAnas(radhiyallahuanhu)narratesthatsometimeswhenHadhratAbuBakr (radhiyallahuanhu)wouldspeakofmanscreationduringhiskhutbah,hewouldsaythatman emergedtwicefromtheplaceofnajaasat(impurity):oncefromthefathersprivateorgan(inthe formofaspermdrop)andoncefromhismothersprivateorgan(atbirth).Thisreminderofthe realityofmanslowlyoriginwouldexerciseaprofoundeffectontheaudience.Realisingtheirlowly origin,thepeopletrulyunderstoodtheirinsignificance.Infact,theyfeltthemselvestobephysically andspirituallyimpureandcontaminated. 11)Hewouldsay: Opeople!CryinfearofAllah.Ifyouareunabletocry,simulatecrying. 12)Onceinhiskhutbah,HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu)said: Wherehasgonethehandsomeonewhosefacewasbeautifulwhowasproudofhisyouth?Where isthekingwhohadestablishedcities?Whereisthebravesoldierwhoconqueredinthebattlefield? Mauthasdestroyedthem.Theyarelyinginthedarknessofgraves.

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13)Amonghisnumeroussayingare: Beware!NeverdespiseanyMuslim.EvenaMuslimoflowrankisgreatbyAllah. Ifoundholinessintaqwa(abstentionfromtransgression)wealthinyaqeenandhonourin tawaadhu(humility). IheardyourNabi()saying:SeekfromAllahForgivenessforsinsandsafetyin theAakhirat. OAllah!Showmethetruthandgrantmethetaufeeqtofollowthetruth.Letmerecognise falsehoodandgivemethetaufeeqtoabstainfromfalsehood.Donotconfusetruthandfalsehoodfor me.Donotenslavemetopassion. WhoeverbecomesdispleasedwithhisnafsforthesakeofAllah,Allahwillkeephimsafefrom Hisdispleasure. Thegreatestunderstandingistaqwaandthegreatestignoranceistransgressionandimmorality. Thegreatesttruthisobservanceoftrustandthegreatestfalsehoodismisappropriationoftrust (amaanat). Ifyouacceptmyadvice,thenoftheunseenthingslovedeaththemostbecauseitwillcometo youmostassuredly. Whenapersonbecomesproudonaccountofsomeworldlyadornment,Allahbecomesdispleased withhim(andremainsdispleased)aslongashedoesnotcompletelydissociatefromthat adornment. 14)OncewhenHadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha)recitedsomeheartrendingpoetry,HadhratAbu Bakr(radhiyallahuanhu)said: Dontsaythis.Ratherrecitethisaayat:

Thepangsofdeathhavearrivedintruth.Thisisitfromwhichyouwouldflee.

HADHRATUMARFAROOQ()
AfterthedemiseofHadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu),thenewkhalifahHadhratUmar (radhiyallahuanhu)assumedthereignsofthekhilaafatebytheappointmentofhispredecessor.The reignsofboththeworldlyandspiritualleadershipcameintohishands.Hisappointmentasthe khalifahisindeedaninterestingepisode. WhenHadhratAbuBakrsillnesstookaturnfortheworseandhisdemiseseemedimminent,he summonedHadhratAli,HadhratUthman,someMuhaajireenandAnsaar.Headdressedthemthus: Youareobservingmydeterioratingcondition.Ithas,therefore,becomenecessarytoappoint someonetotakecareofyouraffairsafterme.Ifyouwish,youmaybymutualconsultationnominate amanorifyouwish,Ishallselectaman. Theyrequestedhimtoappointasuccessor. HadhratAbuBakrtheninstructedHadhratUthmantoprepareadocumentinwhichHadhratUmar wasappointedtheKhalifah.HadhratUmarsaid:Icannotbearthisresponsibility.HadhratAbu

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Bakr:Bringmysword.HehasdisobeyedtheorderofRasulullahsKhalifah. HethenseverelyreprimandedHadhratUmarwhowascompelledtoacceptthekhilaafatagainsthis wishes.Soonthereafter,HadhratTalhahenteredandobjectedtothisappointment.HadhratAbuBakr said: ByAllah!Umaristhebestmanforyouandyouaretheworstforhim. HethenproceededtoseverelyrebukeHadhratTalhahandexpelledhim.HethenorderedHadhrat Uthmantowriteasfollows: ThisdirectiveisbeingwrittenbyAbuBakr,theKhalifahofRasulullahatthejunctureofhis departurefromearthandthecommencementofhissojourntotheAakhirah.Iappointaftermefor youUmarBinKhattaabastheKhalifah.Ifheremainspiousandjust,thenthisisexactlywhatIam convincedof(inregardtohim).Ifhechanges,thenI(havetosaythatI)lacktheknowledgeofthe unknown.InmyopinionIhavedonethebestforyou(bythisappointment).Theburdenofasinis ontheonecommittingit.(Hethencitedthefollowingaayat). Andsoonwillthetransgressorsknowthedirectiontowardswhichtheyareturning. HisnameisUmarandhistitleisFarooq.HisotherlesserknowntitleisAbuHafs.Boththesetitles wereconferreduponhimbyRasulullah(.)Hisgenealogicaltreeisasfollows:Umar thesonofKhattaab,thesonofNufail,thesonofAbdulUzza,thesonofRiyah,thesonofAbdullah, thesonofQirt,thesonofRazah,thesonofAdi,thesonofKab,thesonofLuway,thesonof GhalibAlQurshilAdawi.HislineagelinksupwithNabieAkram()inKabBin Luway. HadhratUmarwasborn13yearsaftertheeventoftheElephants(i.e.AbrahasmarchintoMakkah todestroytheKabah).HeembracedIslamattheage27.Beforehim40menand11womenhad alreadyenteredthefoldofIslam.

HisAcceptanceofIslam
HisacceptanceofIslamisawonderfulepisode.Onedayatameetingofthekuffaarthequestion arose:WhowillkillMuhammad?Umarvolunteeredtoexecutethistask.Hepickeduphissword andsetoff.AlongthewayhemetSadBinAbiWaqqaswhoasked: Umar,whereareyouoffto? Umarreplied:ToslayMuhammad. Sad:BanuHashim,BanuZahrahandBanuAbdManaafwillkillyou. Enragedbythisstatement,Umarremarked: Itappearsthatyoutoohavebecomearenegade(i.e.aMuslim).Letmefirstsettlewithyou. Thushedrewhissword.HadhratSadproclaimingdefiantlyhisImaan,alsodrewhissword.Asthey clashed,HadhratSadsaid: Umar,firsttendtoyourownhome.BothyoursisterandbrotherinlawhaveacceptedIslam.

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Now,Umarsragewasbeyondbounds.Hehastenedtohissistershome.Thedoorwasclosed,but heheardHadhratKhabbab(hisbrotherinlaw)andhissisterrecitingtheQuraan.Onhearing Umarsvoice,HadhratKhabbabconcealedhimselfinsidethehouse.Inhishastetohide,heforgot themanuscriptonwhichtheQuraanwaswritten.Whenhissisteropenedthedoor,Umarwhowas holdinganobjectinhishand,struckherwithfullforceontheheadandbloodgushedforth.He shouted: Enemyofyourlife,youtoohavebecomearenegade. Enteringthehouse,heinterrogatedher. Whatwereyoudoing?Whatwereyoureading? HadhratKhabbab,emergingfromconcealmentsaidthattheywereengagedinconversation.Umar said:Youhaverenegedfromyourreligionandadoptedanotherreligion. HadhratKhabbab:Ifthatreligionisthetruth,thenwhatiswrong? Umarferociouslyattackinghim,droppedhimtothegroundandmercilesslyassaultedhim. Whenhissisterintervenedinabidtoshieldherhusband,Umarstruckheronthemouthwithastone drawingbloodinprofusion.Afterall,shewasofthesamemettleasUmar.Sheblurtedout: AreyouassaultingusbecausewehaveacceptedIslam.Mostcertainly,wehaveembracedIslam. Dowhateveryoucan. UmarsgazefellontheQuraanicmanuscriptandhesaid:Showmewhatiswritteninit. Hissistersaid:Youareimpure.Animpurepersonisnotallowedtotouchit. Althoughhedemandedtohandlethemanuscript,hissisterwasadamantinherrefusal.She constrainedonhimtotakeghusl.Afterhavingpurifiedhimself,hetookthemanuscriptinhishands andhiseyesfellonthefollowingaayatofSurahTaHa:

Verily,IamAllah.Thereisnodeity,butI.Therefore,worshipMeandperformSalaatforMy Remembrance. Thisaayatpenetratedhisheartandhiswholebeingwastransformed.Heaskedtobetakento Muhammad(.)HadhratKhabbaabexclaimed: OUmar!YesterdayThursdaynightRasulullah()prayed:OAllah!Grantthe taufeeqofImaantoeitherUmarorAbuJahl.ItappearsasifRasulullahsduahasbeenacceptedin yourfavour. HadhratUmarthenpresentedhimselftoNabieAkram()andembracedIslaminthe morningonFriday.HadhratAbdullahBinMasdwouldsaythatUmarsacceptanceofIslamwasa victoryfortheMuslimshismigrationanaidfortheMuslimsandhiskhilaafateamercy.

UmarsHijrat(Migration)
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Evenhismigrationisaninterestinganecdotewhichgivesagoodpictureofhiscourageandbravery. HadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)saidthatinthebeginningpeoplemigratedbystealth.When HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)migrated,hestrunghisswordaroundhisneckandheldhisbow inhishand.Hetookalongabigsupplyofarrows.Firstly,hewenttotheMusjidandcalmly performedthetawaaf,thentheSalaat.Hethenconfrontedthegatheringofkuffaarandaddressed themasfollows: Whoeverdesiresthathismotherwailsforhim,thathischildrenberenderedorphansandhiswifea widow,shouldcomeoutofMakkahtocombatUmar. Hethendeparted.Noonedaredtoopposehim. Hisexcellencesareunanimous.Therearenumerousissuesonwhichthereisunanimityamong Muslims.But,thereareveryfewsuchissuesonwhichthereistheconsensusofbothMuslimsand Kuffaar.However,amongtheexploitsofHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)therearemany examplesonwhichthereexistssuchconsensus. Evenenemiesconcedehiswisdom,intelligence,alertness,politicalforesight,political administration,aweandjustice.Besideshisimmenseawe,therearenumerousincidentsofhiszuhd (abstinence)andpoverty.Ishallciteafewexamples,sinceitisimpossibletoenumerateallsuch episodes. Inspiteoftheaweandsplendourofhislife,helivedalifeofextremeabstinence.Hisgarmentshad severalpatches.Oncesomeonecounted14patchesonhiskurtah.Frequentlyhecouldnotfinda pieceofclothtomendhiskurtah.Hewouldthenuseevenapieceofleathertoeffectthepatch. HadhratZaidBinTh bit(radhiyallahuanhu)oncecounted17patchesonhisdress. Twovarietiesoffoodwouldneverbeservedatonetime.Oncehisdaughter,HadhratSafiyyah, pouredsomebutteronthefood.Hebecamedispleased,sayingthatshehadaddedtwovarietiesina singledish. OncehewasabitlateforJumuahSalaat.Thereasonforthedelaywasthelackofanotherkurtahto wear.Hewaswaitingforhisonekurtahtodry. Oncehesaid: IftherewasnotthefearofHisaab(ReckoningintheAakhirah)Iwouldhaveeatenroastedmeat. EveryonewhohasperformedHajjinsummerisawareoftheextremeheat.Butneverwasatentor shadeerectedforHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)onanystageofhisjourneyfromMadinah TayyibahtoMakkahMukarramah.Apieceofleatherwouldbespreadintheshadeofacactustree. Hewouldrestthereon. Onceduringaseverefaminewhichenduredfor9monthsheabandonedeatingofbutterandmeatin sympathyandsolidaritywiththefuqara(poor).Hetookanoaththathewouldnoteatbreadwith anythingbesidesoliveoil.Duringthisfaminehemadedua:OAllah!DonotdestroytheUmmahby myhands. Hewouldvisitpeopleintheirhomestoascertaintheirneeds.Hewouldstressthattheyrefertheir requirementstohim.

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Hisconstantandabundantcryingformedtwodarkstripesdownhischeeks.Hewouldcrysomuch inSalaatforthefearofAllah,thathissobbingcouldbeheardbythreerowsofmusallis.Attimes whileengagedintilaawatoftheQuraanShareefhewouldcrysoprofuselythathisbreathingwould becomedifficult.Sometimeshewouldfalldown.Sometimeshewouldlament: IwishIwasagoatwhichcouldbeslaughteredandeaten. Sometimeshewouldholdinhandabladeofgrassandsigh:IwishIwasthisgrass. Sometimeshesaid:Iwishmymotherhadnotgivenbirthtome. Hewouldsaytopeople: BetterthanyourlifeintheAakhiratbesufferingisthatyourworldlylifesuffers. Inthebeginningtherewasconsiderableharshnessinhim.Preciselyforthisreasondidpeopleavoid comingoutoftheirhomesintheinitialperiodofHadhratUmarskhilaafat.Observingthis,he deliveredalengthykhutbahinwhichhesaid: People!IwasharduntiltherewereamongyoukindandbeneficentmensuchasRasulullah( )andAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu).Thecombinationofmyhardnessandtheirsoftnesshas broughtaboutmoderation.But,nowIshallnotbeharshonyou.Myhardnesswillbeforonlythe oppressors.OPeople!IfIopposetheSunnatofRasulullah()andthewayofAbu Bakr(radhiyallahuanhu),whatwillyoudo? Afterheposedthisquestionseveraltimes,amanstoodupbrandishingaswordandindicatedwithit thathewouldseverhis(Umars)neck.Thisaudacitydidnotangerhimintheleast.Onthecontrary, thisanswerpleasedhim. WhenhejourniedtothelandofShaam,hewascladinwornoutgarmentswhichhadanumberof patches.ItwassaidtohimthathighrankingpriestsoftheYahoodandNasaarawouldbevisiting him.WhatwilltheythinkoftheMuslimsleadercladsoshabbily?HadhratUmar(radhiyallahu anhu)responded: WeareapeoplewhomAllahelevatedbymeansofIslam. Inotherwords,ourhonourandrespectarenotbymeansofgarments. InspiteofhimhavingbeengiventhegladtidingsofJannat,thedegreeofhisfearwas overwhelming.And,despitehispietyandsomuchfearforAllahhewouldaskHadhratHuzaifah (radhiyallahuanhu),whetherRasulullah()hadnotperhapsmentionedhisnametoo inthelistoftheMunaafiqeenwhosenamesRasulullah()hadrevealedtoHadhrat Huzaifah(radhiyallahuanhu).

HadhratUmarsDemise
AbuLulu,theMajsi(fireworshipper)hadattackedHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)intheFajr Salaat.Thewoundwasfatal.Althoughbloodflowedunabatedandhewouldoccasionallylapseinto unconsciousness,hewouldperformSalaatinthatveryconditionwhenthetimeforSalaatwas announced.Hesaid,whileinthisstate: HewhoabandonsSalaathasnoshareinIslam.

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On1stMuharram24Hijri,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)crossedthefrontiersofthisearthly abode.Atthetimeofhisdemise,hisheadwasrestingonthethighofhisson,HadhratAbdullah (radhiyallahuanhu).Intheselastmomentshesaid:Putmyheadontheground.Althoughhisson saidthattherewasnothingwronginhavinghisheadonhis(Abdullahs)thigh,HadhratUmar insistedthathisheadbeputontheground.Afterthiswasdone,hesaid: IfmyRabbhasnomercyonme,thenIamdestroyed. HadhratSuhaib(radhiyallahuanhu)ledtheJanaazahSalaatandhewasburiedalongsideHadhrat AbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu). Hiskhilaafatewasforaperiodof10years,6monthsand5days.

MiscellaneousAnecdotes
1)ThehumanmindisunabletoassesstheexceptionallyhighdegreeofHadhratUmarshumility. InspiteofbeingtheEmperorofemperorsandthekingofArabandAjam,hewasunparalleledinhis attributeoftawaadhu(humility). Whenhemountedthemimbartodeliverthekhutbah,hesatonthesteponwhichHadhratAbuBakr (radhiyallahuanhu)wouldstand.Whenitwassaidtohimtosithigheronthemimbar,hereplied: ItsufficesformetositonthatplacewhereonstoodthefeetofAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu). 2)Onedayduringthekhutbahhesaid: OPeople!Donotincreasethemehrofwomen.Ifthemehrisfixedmorethanthemehrof Rasulullahswivesanddaughters,IshallconfiscatetheextraamountandhandittotheBaitulMaal. Anoldwomanimmediatelychallengedhim,saying: WhatrightdoyouhavetodosowhenAllahTaalasays(intheQuraan): Ifyou(men)havegiventhemmoundsofwealth,thendonottakebackanythingofit. Onhearingthis,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)camedownfromthemimbarandexclaimed: AllpeoplehavemoreknowledgethanUmar,eventheoldlady. 3)Thefoodheatewassuchthatnotevenapoorpersonwouldbeinclinedtoeatit.Oncehehad someguestsfromIraqamongwhomwasHadhratJareerBinAbdullah(radhiyallahuanhu).They wereunabletoeatthesimplefoodofHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu). 4)InayearhewouldacquireonlytwosetsofgarmentsfromtheBaitulMaal.Theclothtoowasofa coarsetype.Wheneveritwouldbecometorn,hewouldpatchit.Sometimethepatchwasofleather andsometimesofsackcloth. 5)DuringhisstayatBaitulMaqdishiskurtahwastornattheback.Hegaveittosomeonetowash andmend.Whenthewashedandpatchedkurtahwasbroughttohimanewkurtahwasalso presented.Thiswasspeciallymadeforhim.BoththesekurtahswereputbeforeHadhratUmar (radhiyallahuanhu).Strokingthenewkurtahwithhishand,hecommented:Thisclothisverysoft. Sosaying,hereturneditandadded: Thatkurtah(hisownone)isbetter.Itabsorbsperspirationwell.

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6)Onedayapproximately50MuhaajirSahaabahgatheredintheMusjid.Theywerediscussing HadhratUmarszuhd(abstinence,worldlyrenunciation,abstentionformworldlycomfortsand pleasuresforAllahssakeTranslator). Itwassaid: LookatUmarinwhosecontrolistheempireofKaisarandKisraa!Hisordersoperateintheeast andwest.ThedelegationsofArabandAjamvisithim.Theyallseehimwithakurtahofadozen patches.Heshouldbeadvisedtochangehisdress.Heshouldwearbettergarments.Garmentsdo createanimpression.Heshouldmakebetterarrangementsforhisfood.Thereshouldbesome elaboratedailyarrangementforbothmeals.TheMuhaajireenandAnsaarcomingtomeethim, shouldjoinhiminmeals. AlthoughitwasresolvedtoofferthisadvicetoHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu),noonecould musterupthecouragetotellhim.FinallytheydecidedtoaskHadhratAliwhobeingHadhrat Umarsfatherinlawwouldbeabletoadvisehim.WhentheyapproachedHadhratAli(radhiyallahu anhu)hedeclinedandsuggestedthattheyapproachUmmahaatulMumineen(TheMothersofthe Mumineen,viz.Rasulullahswives). AhnafBinQais(radhiyallahuanhu)saysthattheythenwenttoHadhratAishahandHadhratHafsah. Bothwereatthesameplace.HadhratAishah(radhiyallahuanha)agreedtotellHadhratUmar (radhiyallahuanhu).ButHadhratHafsah(radhiyallahuanha)saidthatshewouldnotgo.Butinview oftheinsistenceofthisgroupofSahaabahbothfinallywenttoHadhratUmar.Theypresentedan eloquentintroductoryspeechinthismatter.Hepatientlylistenedtotheiradviceandbrokedown cryingprofusely.HerecountedtheausterityandpovertyofRasulullah()andboth wivescriedaswell.Hethencommented: Listen!Ihadtwocompanions.IfIshouldadoptawaywhichdiffersfromtheirwaywhichIhad observed,Iwillnotbeblessedwiththeircompanionship(intheAakhirah). ThisconditionofHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)enduredtotheend.Nottheslightestchange wasadmittedinhislifestyle. 7)OncewhileHadhratAbuMsaAshaari(radhiyallahuanhu)wassweepingthepremisesofthe BaitulMaal,hefoundadirham(silvercoin).HegaveittooneofHadhratUmarsgrandsonswho wasalittlechild.WhenHadhratUmarsawthedirhaminthechildshandheenquiredaboutit. WhenthechildinformedhimthatitwasgiventohimbyHadhratAbuMsa,HadhratUmarbecame verydispleased.HetookthedirhamfromthechildandreprimandedHadhratAbuMsaasfollows: OAbuMsa!Couldyounotfindahomemorecontemptiblethanmyhome? 8)Towardstheendofhislife,HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)startedtofastinabundance.He wouldfastthewholeyearexcludingthe5daysonwhichitisnotpermissibletofast.Headhered rigidlytothispractiseoffastingdayafterdayinsuccession. 9)In13Hijri,thefirstyearofhiskhilaafate,heappointedHadhratAbdurRahmaanBinAuf (radhiyallahuanhu)astheAmirofHajj.ThereafterhewenthimselfeveryyearforHajj.Duringhis khilaafateheperformedtenHajj.In23Hijriwhichwasthelastyearofhiskhilaafate,hetookalong theAzwaajeMutahhaaraat(TheHolyWivesofRasulullah)aswell. 10)HisfearforAllahwasunparalleled.Onedayhewasreciting.Asherecitedtheaayat(Andwhen thebookswillbescattered),hefelldownunconscious.Heremainedillforseveraldays.

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11)OnedayhepassedbyahousewheretheownerwasrecitingSurahTr.Whenheheardtheman recitingtheaayat:(Verily,thepunishmentofyourRabbwillmostcertainlyoccur.) HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)dismountedandleanedagainstawallforalongwhile.On returninghomehefellillforamonth.Peoplevisitinghimcouldnotfathomhissickness. 12)HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)oncedespatchedthearmyunderthecommandofSaariya (radhiyallahuanhu).Theenemyhadconcealedagroupoftheirmenbehindamountain.Whenthe Muslimarmywasabouttobeentrapped,SaariyaheardHadhratUmarsvoicecommanding: OSaariya!Bealertofthemountainpass.OSaariya!Bealertofthemountainpass. Hearingthiscommand,Saariyawasalertedandhetookthenecessaryprecautionstoadvertwhat wouldhavebeenadisasterfortheMuslimarmy. HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)whiledeliveringtheJumuahKhutbahwasdivinelyapprizedof thestateoftheMuslimarmy,hencehecalledouttoSaariya,commandinghimevenwhilehundreds ofmilesaway.BythepermissionofAllah,thevoiceofHadhratUmarreachedtheearsofHadhrat Saariya. 13)ItwashispractisetogoonnocturnalexcursionsinthestreetsofMadinahTayyibah.Onenight, afterconsiderabletrudging,hesatdowntired,leaningagainstawall.Heheardawomaninstructing herdaughtertoaddwatertothemilk.Thedaughterresponded: AmirulMumineenhasissuedaninstructionprohibitingthemixtureofwaterwithmilk. ThemotherorderedthedaughtertoaddwatertothemilksayingthatneitherAmirulMumineennor hisannouncerispresenttosee.Thedaughtersaid: Wallah!Ishallneverdoso. 14)HadhratAbdullahBinImranBinHafs(radhiyallahuanhu)narratesthatonceHadhratUmar loadedontohisbackagoatskinwaterbagfullofwater.Whenpeoplemadesomecommentsinthis regard,HadhratUmarsaid: Mynafsappearedpleasingtome,I,therefore,desiredtodisgraceit. 15)Oncehissondonningbeautifuldresscametohim.HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)struckhim withhiswhipandtheboycried.WhenHadhratHafsahaskedthereasonforbeatinghim,Hadhrat Umarsaid: Hewasproudofhimself.Idesiredhimtounderstandthathisnafsiscontemptible. 16)HadhratAbbas(radhiyallahuanhu)narrates: AyearafterUmarsdemise,IsupplicatedtoAllahforhim(Umar)toappearinmydream.Thus, afterayearIsawhiminadreamwipingtheperspirationfromhisforehead.Isaid: Maymymotherandfatherbesacrificedforyou!OAmirulMumineen!Whatisthiscondition?He replied:Ihavejustnowbeenreleased(fromtheReckoning).Iwasclosetodestruction,butIfound AllahTaalaMostMerciful. 17)Oncewhenhesawanintoxicatedman,hedesiredtopunishhim,butthemaninsultedhim. ThereuponHadhratUmarcameaway.Whenhewasaskedforthereasonforallowingthemantogo freeinspiteoftheinsults,hesaid: Hisinsultsangeredme.IfIhadpunishedhim,mynafstoowouldhavehaditssharetherein.Ido notapproveofpunishinganyMuslimforthesakeofthedesiresofmynafs.
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18)WhenHadhratUmarwouldseeamaledressedinfinegarments,hewouldpunishhimwithhis whipandsay:Leavefinegarmentsforfemales. 19)Hisfamousduawas: OAllah!GrantmemautinthepurecityofYourRasoolandgrantmeshahaadatinYourpath. HowwouldheattainmartyrdominAllahsPathwhileresidinginMadinahTayyibah,thecapitalof Islam,wasamystery.However,itwasnotdifficultforAllahTaala,TheCauseofallcauses,tofulfil aduawhichemanatedfromtheinnermostrecessesoftheheart.HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu) attainedshahaadatwhileperformingSalaatandinthemidstofhisdevotedcompanions. 20)OncewhenRasulullah()permittedHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)togoon Umrah,he(NabieKareem)said: Omybrother!Remembermetooinyourdua. 21)ItwasHadhratUmarspractisetovisittheabattoirwithwhipinhand.Whenhesawsomeone purchasingmeatontwoconsecutivedays,hewouldwhiphimandsay: Cantyoukeepyourstomachemptyforthesakeofyourneighboursandrelatives? Bythisstatement,heimpliedthatoneshouldtendtotheneedsofneighboursandnotbeselfishly concernedwithonlyonesowncomforts. 22)Manyatimewhenhedesiredtoeatsomething,hewoulddelayitforayear. 23)Whenhepassedbyadump,hewouldsay: Thisisyourworldforwhosegreedanddesireyouareperishing.

HADHRATUTHMAANGHANI()
HadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)isthethirdKhalifah.Heassumedthereignsofthekhilaafate onaSaturdayinMuharram24Hijri.HewasappointedbythedecisionoftheAhleShra(thesenior SahaabahwhoconstitutedtheShracommittee). AccordingtoHafizwhowroteinIsabah,HadhratUthmanwasborn6yearsaftertheEpisodeofthe Elephants.HeacceptedIslamasaresultofHadhratAbuBakrsefforts.WhenheacceptedIslam, Rasulullah()gavehisdaughter,Ruqayyahinmarriagetohim. HisblessednameisUthmanandhistitleisThunNurain(theonewithtwolights).Hewasthustitled becauseRasulullahstwodaughters,RuqayyahandUmmeKulthoomcameintohisNikahone aftertheother.ThereisnomanbesidesHadhratUthmanwhohadthegoodfortuneofmarryingtwo daughtersofaNabi.AfterthedemiseofHadhratRuqayyah,Rasulullah()saidthat hehadbeencommandedbyAllahtoperformUmmeKulthoomsnikahtoHadhratUthman.When HadhratUmmeKulthoomtoodiedintheyear9Hijri,Rasulullah()observedthatif hehadanotherdaughter,hewouldhavegivenherinmarriagetoHadhratUthman. Hisgenealogyisasfollows: UthmanthesonofAffan,thesonofAbilAas,thesonofUmayyah,thesonofAbdushShams.His ancestrylinksupwithRasulullah()inAbduManafwhohadtwosons.Rasulullah

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()wasoftheprogenyoftheonesonwhileHadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)was oftheprogenyoftheotherson. HadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)wasanembodimentandatreasurehouseofmodestyand shame.Evenwhentakingabathinanenclosedbathroom,hismodestydidnotpermithimtobein thenude.InthepresenceofHadhratAbuBakrandHadhratUmar,NabieAkram() wouldappearwithhisdressinanystate.But,hewouldtakecareofcorrectlyarranginghisattire whenHadhratUthmancameintohispresence. TilaawatandIbaadatinabundancewerehisspecialcharacteristics.Heperpetuallyfasted.Evenon thedayhewasmartyredhewasfasting.Hewouldsleepashortwhileintheearlypartofthenight andspendtherestofthenightmakingtilaawatoftheQuraanShareef.Hewouldcompletethe recitationoftheentireQuraaninanight. Inspiteofbeingextremelywealthy,hisdresswasgenerallyofaverycheapandinferiorkind.But,he wasverygenerousincharity.ItwashispracticetoemancipateaslaveeveryFriday.When sometimeshefailedtoobservethisFridaypractice,hewouldcompensatetheomissionby emancipatingtwoslavesonthenextFriday. InviewoftheextremedifficultieswhichNabieAkram()andtheSahaabah experiencedontheoccasionoftheTabkcampaign,thenameJaishulUsrah(theArmyofHardship) isfamousforthisexpedition.ExhortingtheSahaabahtocontribute,Rasulullah() said: HewhocontributesforthisarmywillreceiveJannat. HadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)presentedtenthousandgoldcoins.Seatedonthemimbar, Rasulullah()transferringthecoinsfromonehandtotheother,said: Aftertoday,itdoesnotmatterifUthmandoesnotrenderanyactofvirtue. Rasulullah()saidofHadhratUthman: EveryNabihadaclosecompanion.MyclosecompanioninJannatwillbeUthman. AfterNabiIbrahim(alayhissalaam)andNabiLt(alayhissalaam),Uthmanisthefirstpersonwho hadmigratedwithhisentirefamily. OnceHadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)hadcontributedsubstantiallyforthearmy.His contributionwasloadedonseveralcamels.OnthisoccasionRasulullah()raising bothhandstowardstheheavens,supplicated: OAllah!IampleasedwithUthman(Herepeatedthisthrice).Youtoobepleasedwithhim. TheSahaabahtoorepeatedthisdua.

HisDemise
ThedurationofHadhratUthmanskhilaafatwas12yearsminus12days.Hewasbrutallymartyred

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on18thThilHajj,35Hijri.Whenhewasmartyred,hewasrecitingtheQuraanMajeed.Hisblood fellontheaayat:

Allahwillsufficeforyouagainstthem.AndHeisTheOneWhoHears,TheOneWhoknows. LongagoRasulullah()hadpredictedHadhratUthmansbrutalassassination. AccordingtothenarrationofTirmizi,oncewhileexplainingtotheSahaabahaboutagreatanarchy (fitnah),Rasulullah()pointedtoHadhratUthmanandsaid:Hewillbeslain unjustlyinthatfitnah. InanotherHadithalsoinTirmizi,HadhratHuzaifahnarratesthatRasulullah()said: ItakeoathbyThatBeinginWhosecontrolismylife!Qiyaamahwillonlycomewhenyouhave killedyourImaamandshedeachothersblood.

MiscellaneousAnecdotes
1)OnceHadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)saidtohisslave: Ihadtwistedyourear.Iwantyoutoextractcompensation. TheslavethentwistedHadhratUthmansear.ThereuponHadhratUthmansaid: Twistitstrongly.Thecompensationextractedhereonearthisbest.Aftersuchcompensation,there isnoapprehensionintheAakhirah. 2)OnceNabieAkram()said: WhowillpurchasetheWellofZireforthebenefitoftheMuslims?InreturnAllahTaalawill quenchhisthirstontheDayofQiyaamah. HadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)thenpurchasedthewellfor35,000dirhamsanddeclareditas waqfforthebenefitofallMuslims. 3)HadhratHasanBasri(rahmatullahalayh)saysthatduringtheeraofkhilaafatehesawHadhrat Uthman(radhiyallahuanhu)sleepingintheMusjid.Hisbodyborethemarksofthepebblesonthe groundonwhichhewassleeping.Peoplesaid:HeistheAmirulMumineen,butlookathis condition. 4)AbdullahBinShaddaad(rahmatullahalayh)saysthathesawHadhratUthmanduringthetimeof hiskhilaafateonthemimbardeliveringtheJumuahKhutbah.Thevalueofthegarmentsonhisbody onthisoccasionwasnotmorethan4or5dirhams. 5)OnceamanwhohadgazedatawomaninthestreetcameintothegatheringofHadhratUthman (radhiyallahuanhu)whosaid: Somepeoplecometomewiththeeffectsofzina(fornication)intheireyes. Someoneremarked: DoesWahidescendevenafterRasulullah(?)

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HadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)respondedthatthisawarenessistheeffectoffiraasat(theinner spiritualfacultyofthepurifiedspiritualheartcapableofdiscerningsuchthingsTranslator). 6)Hewouldsay: WorshipistosafeguardthecommandsofAllah,tofulfilthepromisemadewithanyone,tobe contentedwithwhateverisobtainedandtobepatientwhenthingsareunobtainable. Worldlyconcernproducesspiritualdarkness.ConcernoftheAakhirahproducesspiritual Lightness. Thesignofpietyisthatoneconsidersallotherstobesavedandoneselftobedoomed. ThegreatestdestructionisoldageaccompaniedbyindifferencefortheAakhirah. Thegravewillbeacomfortfortheoneforwhomthisworldisaprison. Ifyourheartsarepurified,youwillnevertireofrecitingtheQuraanandlisteningtoitsrecitation. 7)ImaamMaalik(rahmatullahalayh)narratesthatonedayHadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu) passedbyaplacecalledHashKaukab.Whilestandingthere,hesaid: Soonapiousmanwillbeburiedhere. ThefirstpersonwhowasburiedtherewasHadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu). 8)HadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)wouldfeedguestsfromtheBaitulMaal.However,hewould notjointhemineating.Ratherhewouldeathissimplefoodathome. 9)HewouldcrymuchwhenpassingtheQabrustaan.Hisbeardwouldbesoakedwithhistears.Once someoneasked: YoudonotcryasmuchwhenJannatandJahannumarediscussed. Heresponded: IheardRasulullah()say: ThegraveisthefirststationofthestationsoftheAakhirah. Therefore,whoeverissuccessfulinthegravewilltraverseallstationssuccessfully.Ifhefailshere, aheadisonlyhardship. Rasulullah()said: Ihavenotseenanymoredreadfulscenethantheqabr.

HADHRATALI()
Intheyear35HijriaftertheshahaadatofHadhratUthman(radhiyallahuanhu)thereignsofthe khilaafatweretakenupbyHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah).Sinceheistheexternaldimensionof Rasulullahsspiritualmunificence(faidh)intheChishtiyyahChains,discussiononhimisofpivotal importance.

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HisnameisAliandhisnicknameswereAbuTurabandAbulHasan.HistitleisAsadullah(The LionofAllah).Thefollowingishisancestraltree: AlithesonofAbiTalib,thesonofAbdulMuttalib,thesonofHashim,thesonofAbdManaf.His lineagelinksupwithRasulullah()inthethirdancestralgeneration,i.e.Abdul Muttalib.Itisindeedawonderfulcoincidencethattheonefurthestinancestralties(i.e.AbuBakr) wastheclosestregardingKhilaafateandtheonewhoseancestrywasclosest(i.e.toNabieAkram) wasfurthestinthematteroftheKhilaafate. AccordingtoHafizBinHajrwhowroteinIsabah,thecorrectviewisthathewasborntenyears priortoNubuwwat.HewasinfactbroughtupinthelapofRasulullah(.)He thereforeenjoyedanexceptionallyhighdegreeofresemblance,closerelationshipandaffinitywith themorals,habitsandattitudesofRasulullah(.)AllagreethatHadhratAliisamong thosefortunateoneswhowasblessedwithIslamsincechildhood.Howevertherearedifferences regardingtheagewhenhehadacceptedIslam.Therearethreeversions,viz.8,9and10years.He wouldsay: IcommencedSalaatsevenyearsbeforeothers. AccordingtoHadhratImaamAhmadBinHambal(rahmatullahalayh)thereisnootherSahaabi whoseexcellencesandvirtuesarenarratedinsuchabundanceasthoseofHadhratAli(karramallahu wajhah).ItistheviewofsomeMashaikhthatonaccountofthehatredforHadhratAliduringthe eraofBanuUmayyah,theUlamaeHaqqwouldmakeitapointtoprofuselynarratehisexcellence inabidtocounterandrefutetheopposition.ImaamNisaiandothershaveinfactcompliedtreatises ontheexcellencesandvirtuesofHadhratAli(radhiyallahuanhu). Courage,braveryanddareinthebattlefieldareamonghisspecialqualitieswhilehisspecial occupationwasthedisseminationofUloomeZaahiriyyahandUloomeBaatiniyyah. DuringtheBattleofKhaibar,hereceivedthehonourofHubbullah(LoveofAllah)andHubbur Rasool(LoveoftheRasool)fromRasulullah(.)Rasulullah()said: TomorrowtheflagwillbegiventotheonewholovesAllahandHisRasoolandAllahandHis Rasooltoolovehim. InspiteofHadhratAliseyespaining,NabieAkram()handedhimtheflag.He rubbedhismubaaraksalivaonHadhratAliseyesandthepainmiraculouslydisappeared.

HisFear
ThefearwhichoverwhelmedhiminhisactsofIbaadatandobediencewasunique.Numerous episodesofthiskindarenarratedofHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)inthebooksofhistory. WhenitwastimeforSalaathisbodywouldshiverandhisfacewouldbecomepale.Whenasked aboutthisstate,hesaid: Itisthetimefortheexecutionofthattrust(Amaanat)whichtheheavens,theearthandmountains wereunabletobearwhenAllahTaalapresentedittothem.ButIhaveacceptedtobearthis responsibility. KumailnarratesthatonceheaccompaniedHadhratAlitotheqabrustaan.Turninghisattentionto

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onegravehesaid: Oinmateofthegrave!Odecomposedone!Ooneoffearandsolitude!Whatisyourcondition?Itis inourknowledgethatyourwealthhasalreadybeendistributed.Childrenhavebeenrendered orphansandwiveshavemarriedotherhusbands.Thisiswhatweknow.Nowinformusofyour condition. HethenturnedtoHadhratKumailandsaid: Ifhe(inmateofthegrave)hadpermissiontospeak,hewouldhavesaid: Thebestprovisionistaqwa. Sosaying,HadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)brokedowncryingandsaid: OKumail!Thegraveisacontainerofdeeds.Atthetimeofmautonewillbecomeawareofones deedsandmisdeeds.

HisDemise
HadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)wasappointedtheKhailfahintheyear35Hijri.Heoccupiedthis postforfiveyearsminusthreedays.On18thRamadhaanintheyear40Hijri,AbdurRahmanIbn MuljimmartyredhiminKufa. AftertheBattleofNahrwaan,threemembersoftheKhaarjisectgatheredinMakkahMuazzamah. TheywereAbdurRahmanBinMuljim,AmrBinBukairandBarkBinAbdullah.Thesethreeevil elementsplottedtokillHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah),HadhratMuawiyahBinSufyan (radhiyallahuanhu)andHadhratAmrBinAas(radhiyallahuanhu).IbnMuljimundertooktokill HadhratAli.AmrBinBukairagreedtoassassinateHadhratAmrBinAasandBarkassumedthe taskofkillingHadhratMuawiyyah.IbnMuljimsucceededinhisevilplottherebycomingwithinthe scopeoftheaayat: HehaslostthisworldandtheAakhirah. Theothertwofailedintheirevilmissions. HadhratAlispractisewastoproceedveryearlytotheMusjid.OnthewaytotheMusjidhewould arousesleepersbyannouncing:AsSalaah!AsSalaah!OnenightIbnMuljimhidhimselfalongthe roadleadingtotheMusjid.AsHadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)passedneartohim,IbnMuljim struckhisforeheadwithhisswordwhichpenetratedHadhratAlisbrain.Hisbeardwasdrenched withblood.PeoplehavingwitnessedtheattackrushedforwardandarrestedIbnMuljim.HadhratAli forbadethemfromkillinghim.However,heissuedthefollowinginstruction:ShouldIsurvive,I shalldowithhimasIplease.IfIdie,strikehimasingleblowashehaddonetome.AfterHadhrat Alisdeath,IbnMuljimwasexecuted. NabieAkram()hadalreadypredictedthisevilevent.OncehesaidtoHadhratAli: OAli!AmongtheformerUmmatsthevilestmanwastheonewhohadcutthelegsofNabiSalihs camel.Thevilestmanoflatertimeswillbetheonewhowillcolouryourbeardredwithyourown blood.
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MiscellaneousAnecdotes
1)HadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)said: SeveraldayswouldpasswithoutushavinganythingtoeatnorwouldRasulullah() haveanything. IwaswalkingalongtheroadwhenIsawadinarlayingontheground.Iwasuncertainwhetherto pickituporleaveit.FinallyIpickeditupbecausewewereindirestraitsofwant.Ibroughtsome flourandpresentedittoFatimah,tellinghertobakesomebread.Shebegantokneethedough.Her weaknesswassomuchthatthehairfromherforeheadwasdroopingintothebasin.Finally,she bakedthebread.IwenttoRasulullah()andexplainedthisincidenttohim.Hesaid: Eatit,foritisrizqwhichAllahhasbestowedtoyou. 2)HadhratQaisBinAbiHatimnarratesthatHadhratAlisaid: Ifthereistaqwa,noactisinsignificant.Howcananaccepteddeedbeinsignificant? 3)Hewouldsay: Whoeveriscontentedwiththetaqdeer(decree)ofAllahwillberewardedforhiscontentmenteven thoughthedecreewillcometopass(asAllahTaalawillswhetheroneispleasedordispleased). WhoeverisdiscontentedwithAllahstaqdeer,hisdeedswillbedestroyed(gounrewarded)whilehis discontentwillnotchangetaqdeer. (Itis,therefore,futiletobedispleased.MansdispleasureorpleasurecannotchangeAllahsDecrees. But,Manscontentmentwillberewardedandhisdiscontentpunishedalthoughsuchdiscontent cannotchangetaqdeerTranslator). 4)HadhratAlisaid: Theworldiscarrionanditsloversaredogs.Whoeverlovestotakeanythingfromthisworld, shouldthereforeassociatewithdogs. Explainingthisstatement,AllamahSharani(rahmatullahalayh)saidthatthemeaningoftheworld inthiscontextisareferencetothingsinexcessofneeds. 5)HadhratAli(karramallahuwajhah)narrates: OnceRasulullah()emphasisedtome: OAli!Regardingyou,twogroupswillbedestroyed.Theonegroupwillbethosewhowillbecome extremeandfanaticalinyourloveandtheywillpraiseyouforsuchthingswhicharenotinyou.The othergroupwillbethosewhowillharbourmaliceforyou.Onaccountoftheirmalicetheywill slanderyou.

HADHRATHASANBASRI(rahmatullahalayh)
HisblessednamewasHasanandhisnicknameAbuSaeed.Anothertwonicknamesarealso attributedtohimAbuMuhammadandAbuNasr.HisfathersnamewasYasarwhowasthemaulaa (emancipatedslave)ofHadhratZaidBinThabit(radhiyallahuanhu).Hismothersnamewas KhairahwhowastheBaandi(slavegirl)ofHadhratUmmeSalmah(radhiyallahuanha),thenoble wifeofRasulullah(.)HisfatherhadembracedIslamin12Hijriatthehandsof HadhratAbuBakr(radhiyallahuanhu).

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HadhratHasan(rahmatullahalayh)wasborninMadinahMunawwarahduringtheKhilaafatof HadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu),twoyearsbeforeHadhratUmarsdemise.Whenhewasborn,he wastakentoHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu)whocarriedoutthetahneekrite.Heinstructed: NamehimHasanbecausehisfaceishasan(beautiful). HadhratUmmeSalmah(radhiyallahuanha)playedaprominentroleinhisupbringingandmoral training.AccordingtoHadhratAbuZarah,attheageof14yearsHadhratHasanbecamethe mureedofHadhratAli(radhiyallahuanhu).ThereafterHadhratHasanmigratedtoKufaandBasrah. HadhratHasanhadthreesonsAli,MuhammadandSaeed. HadhratHasanwasanembodimentofalltheloftyattributesnecessaryforaWalieKaamil(a perfectsaint).AverylargesegmentoftheUmmahhasalwaysglowinglypraisedhim.Amonghis contemporarieshewasincomparable.HajjaajBinIrtatsaysthatwhenheaskedAtaBinAbiRabaah concerningHadhratHasan,hesaid: Clingtohimstrongly.HeisagreatImaamwhoisfollowed(bytheUmmah). HammadBinSalmahsaid: WehaveseenmanyFuqaha.ButwehavenotseenanyonewithsuchahighmoralcultureasHasan Basri. HadhratAmashsaid: HasanBasrialwaysaccumulatedhikmat(wisdom),thendisseminatedit. HadhratBaqirwouldsay: HadhratHasanBasrisspeechresembledthespeechoftheAmbiya. Heremainedperpetuallyinthestateofwudhu.Onenighthissleepwasdisturbedmorethan70 times.Eachtimeheawoke,heperformedwudhuandtworakatsNamaaz.Intaqwahewasunique. Inthisregardhewouldfrequentlysay:TaqwaisthebasisofDeen.Desireandgreeddestroythis basis. HisrelationshipwiththeSunnahofRasulullah()wasoneofburningloveand devotion.HewenttoextremesinfollowingtheSunnahandinstructingotherstoalsofollowthe Sunnah. Khauf(DivineFear)wasexcessiveinhim.Frequentlythisfearwouldreducehimtotearsbecausehe fearedthatAllahTaalamayrebuffhimonaccountofsinwhichhehadcommittedandrejecthis ibaadat.Onceheaccompaniedajanaazahtotheqabrustaan.Aftertheburial,hestoodatthe gravesidesheddingtearsinabundance.Thenhesaid: People,beware!TheendoftheworldandthebeginningoftheAakhirahisthisgrave.TheHadith saysthatthegraveisthefirstofthestationsoftheAakhirah.Whylovesuchaworld,theendof whichisthegrave.WhydoyounotfearQiyaamah,theinceptionofwhichisthisgrave? Themovingeloquenceofhisnaseehatreducedthegatheringtotears.

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Hesaidthatwhenapersondiesandtheinmatesofthehousebegintocry,thenMalakulMaut, standinginthedoorway,says: Ididnotconsumehisprovisions(rizq).Hehascompletedhisprovisions.Ihavenotdecreasedhis age.Remember,Ihavetorepeatedlyvisitthishouse. HadhratHasanthensaid: IswearbyAllah!IfthehousefolkcouldseetheAngelatthistimeandhearhim,theywouldforget aboutthedeadpersonandworryaboutthemselves. Humilitywasoverwhelminginhim.Healwaysregardedhimselftobethemostcontemptibleperson. Oncewhensomeoneaskedhim: Hasan,areyouorthedogbetter?,heresponded: IfIamsavedfromAllahspunishment,Iambetterthanthedog.ButifIamapprehendedby Allahspunishment,thedogisathousandtimesbetter. Attimeswhenseeingadog,hewouldsupplicate: OAllah!Acceptmethroughthemediumofthisdog. AccordingtoHadhratHasan,theomissionofTahajjudSalaatisbecauseofasincommitted.He thereforeadvisedobservanceofmuhaasabahbeforegoingtobedandrepentanceforanysin committedduringthedaytoensuretheacquisitionofTahajjudSalaat. (Muhaasabahmeanstotakestockofoneself.Thisexerciseentailsthinkingaboutthedaysactsand utterances.Foreverygoodactrecalled,begratefultoAllahTaalaandforeverysinfulorfutiledeed committed,regretandrepent.WhenamanwhoregularlyperformsTahajjudSalaatmissesthis Salaat,theomission,afterdeepreflection,canbetraceabletosomesinfuldeed.Inrelationtothe Sulahaa(Pious)evenfutilityandidletalkaretantamounttosinswhichproducespiritualdarkness Translator.) Tahajjudisdifficultforapersonwhoindulgesintransgressions. AllahTaalahadbestowedtohimawonderfulabilityinlecturing.Hislecturesweremosteloquent. Hewoulddeliverawaz(lecture)onceeveryweek.Averylargenumberofpeoplelaymenandeven Auliyaattendedhisdiscourses.However,ifHadhratRabiyah(rahmatullahalayha)wasnotpresent, hewouldnotdeliverhisdiscourse.Whenaskedtoexplainthereasonforthis,hesaid: Thedrinkwhichfillsthewatertroughofelephantscannotbepouredforants. OncewhenHadhratAli(radhiyallahuanhu)visitedBasrah,heattendedoneofHadhratHasans discourses.HadhratAliasked: Hasan,areyouanAalimoraSearcherofKnowledge? HadhratHasanresponded:Iamneither.However,Ideliver(tootherswhateverhasreachedme fromRasulullah(.)

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HadhratAlithensaid: Thisyoungmanisqualifiedtodeliverdiscourses. Sosaying,HadhratAlidepartedandbannedallotherincompetentlecturersfromlecturing. OnceitwasreportedtoHadhratHasanBasrithatinthecitywasamanwholovedtoliveinsolitude. OnedayHadhratHasanvisitedhimandenquired: Youappeartolovesolitude.Whydoyounotmeetpeople? Hereplied:ThedutyinwhichIamoccupieddoesnotpermitmetomeetpeople. HadhratHasan:InthisplaceresidesHasanBasri.Youshouldfrequenthim.(Themanwas unawarethatitwasHasanspeakingtohim). Theman:Thedutywhichkeepsmeawayfromothers,alsorestrainsmefromvisitingHasanBasri. HadhratHasan:Whatisthisduty? Theman:WhenIcontemplate,IseeAllahsbountiesandmysins.Iamthusoccupiedinrendering shukrforthebountiesandrepentingformysins. HadhratHasan:YouaremoreintelligentthanHasanBasri.Itsufficesthatyouremainoccupiedin yourduty. OncewhenHadhratHasanBasrisawayouthindulginginlaughter,hesaid:Haveyoualready crossedtheSiraat?(TheBridgeoverJahannum.) Youth:No! HadhratHasan:DoyouknowwhetheryouaregoingtoenterJannatorJahannum? Youth:No! HadhratHasan:Whythenthislaughter? Thenarratorsaysthattheyouthwasneveragainseenlaughing.(Suchwastheelectrifyingeffectof HadhratBasrisnaseehatTranslator). SomesayingsofHadhratHasanBasri: AmanwillbereleasedafterathousandyearsinJahannum.Howwonderful,ifIcouldbethat person.(Atleastthismanssalvationisassured,henceHadhratHasansyearningTranslator) WhenAllahintendstodogoodtoabandah(Allahsdevotee),Hepreventshimfromengrossment inhisfamily.(Itshouldbeunderstoodthatfulfilmentofthehuqooqofthefamilyandengrossment withthefamilyaretwodifferentissues.Whiletheformer,i.e.Huqooq,isobligatory,thelatteris spirituallydetrimental.) Therequisitefortawaadhu(humility)istobelieveeveryoneelsetobenoblerthanoneself. AtruerepentanceproducesproximitytoAllahTaala. Whenamancomplainedofthehardnessofhisheart,HadhratHasansaid: AttendgatheringsofThikr. IhavemetsuchAuliyawhosedislikeforevenhalaalthingsexceedyourdislikeforharaamthings. Tama(Worldlydesire)blemishestheAalim. IswearbyAllah!Allahdisgracesapersonwholovesmoney. Theworldisavehicleforyou.Ifyoudriveit,itwilldeliveryoutoyourdestination.Ifitdrives you,youwillbedestroyed. AbstainfrombeinganenemyofAllahsobedientservant.Allahwillneverassignhimtoyour control.Ifheisasinner,refrainfrombeinghisenemybecausehewillseetheconsequencesofhis misdeeds.

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AmanwhoclaimsAllahsLovebutdoesnotdislikesins,isfalseinhisclaimoflove. Onceheheardamanrecitingthehadith:Amanwillbetogetherwiththeonewhomheloves. HadhratHasanBasri,commented: Donotbedeceived.Thiscompanionshipwillbeacquiredonlyifonepractisessuchdeedsasthe person(whosecompanionshipisdesired). Whenanyonewouldmakegheebatabouthim,HadhratHasanwouldsendhimagiftofdateswith themessage: Yourgift(i.e.thegheebat)isvastlysuperiortomyinsignificantgift. HisDemise Accordingtoconflictingnarrations,HadhratHasanBasri(rahmatullahalayh)passedawayduring thereignofHishamBinAbdulMalikeitheronthe4thMuharram,or1stRajabintheyear110Hijri attheageof90years.HewasburiedinBasrah.Ontheoccasionofhisdemise,awonderfulepisode wasenacted. Duringhisfinalmomentshelaughinglyexclaimed:Whichsin?Whichsin?Thereafterhedied.In adreamabuzrugaskedHadhratHasanthereasonforhislaughterandthemeaningofthestatement. Hereplied: AtthetimeofdeathIheardavoicesaying:OMalakulMaut!Beharshwithhim.Thereyet remainsasinonhim. Iwaspleasedtohearthisandlaughinglyenquiredaboutthesin. TheauthorofSiyarulAqtabhasenumeratedfiveofHadhratHasanskhulafaa.Amongthem,Shaikh AbdulWahidBinZaid(rahmatullahalayh)belongstoourSilsilah(Chishtiyyah).Weshallnow proceedtodiscusshim.

KHWAAJHABDULWAAHIDBINZAIDABUL FADHL(rahmatullahalayh)
HewasamongtheseniorkhulafaaofHadhratHasanBasri(rahmatullahalayh).Hewouldfastthe wholeyearandstayawakeinibaadattheentirenight.Hewouldeatthreeorfourmorselsonlyafter threedays. Zuhdhadoverwhelmedhimtotally.HegaveinthePathofAllahwhateverhepossessed.Ifhehadto holdmoneyinhishandstoevengivetoothers,hewouldwashhishands. HeisastudentoftheillustriousRefugeoftheFuqaha,viz.ImaamAzamAbuHanifah(rahmatullah alayh).Beforebecomingbayt,heengagedinmujaahadaatforfortyyears.Heisalsothestudentof HadhratHasanBasriinUloomeZaahiriyyah(KnowledgeoftheexternaldimensionoftheShariah, e.g.Fiqh,Hadith,Tafseer).HewasfortunatetobehonouredwiththecompanionshipofHadhratAli (radhiyallahuanhu)aswell.

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HisinitiationintoSulookwasoccasionedbythefollowingepisode. Hehadaslavewhomhehadexemptedfromhimfromnightserviceontheconditionofapayment ofonedinarpernight.Someonecomplainedtohimthattheslavewasstealingthekafansofdead bodies. OnenightAbdulWahidstealthilyfollowedtheslavewhowentintoaqabrustaan.Heretheslave engagedhimselfinNamaazuntilFajrtime.ThenhemadeduaandpetitionedAllahTaala: OmyGreatMaster!Givethewageofmysmallmaster. Adinarmiraculouslyappearedandsettledintheslaveshand.Whiletheslaveleft,AbdulWahid remainedconcealed. Afterthedepartureoftheslave,HadhratAbdulWahidmadewudhu,performedtworakatsSalaatut Taubahandrepentedforthebaselesssuspicionhehadentertainedofhisslave.Heresolvedtosetthe slavefree. AfurtherastonishingrevelationshockedHadhratAbdulWahidinthemorning.Hewaslost, searchingforthedirectionofhishome.Whenheenquiredfromthepeoplearound,theyinformed himthattheplaceofhishome(mentionedbyhim)wasatwoyearjourneyaway.Hesatdownin bewilderment.Apassinghorseridersoonstoppedandasked:AbdulWahid,whyareyousitting here?AbdulWahidnarratedhisstory.Thehorseridersaid: Dontleave.Withaswifthorseitwilltaketwoyearstoreachyourhome.Thesameslavewillcome atnight.Gowithhim. AbdulWahidwasleftnooption,buttowait. Duringthenighttheslaveappearedwithavarietyoffood.HepresentedthefoodtoAbdulWahid, saying:Eatanddonteverdosoagain.WhileHadhratAbdulWahidwaseating,theslaveengaged himselfinibaadat.Inthemorningasusual,thedinararrived.Hepresentedbothdinarstohismaster whowalkedonlyafewstepswiththeslaveandmiraculouslyreachedhome.Theslavesaid:You hadintendedtofreeme.HadhratAbdulWahidimmediatelyemancipatedtheslavewhoexpressed hisprofoundgratitude.InreturnforhisfreedomtheslavegaveHadhratAbdulWahidafewpebbles anddisappeared. Inthemorninghediscoveredthatthepebbleswerepricelessgemswhichhesoldanddistributed themoneytothefuqara.Hethuscommencedthejourneyofrenouncingtheworld. ShaikhAbdulWahidsaidthatonceonaccountofpaininhisleg,heexperiencedconsiderable difficultyinSalaat.Onenightwhenhewokeup,thepainwasintenseandheperformedSalaatwith thegreatestdifficulty.AftercompletingtheSalaat,hewenttosleep.Inadreamheseesagirlinthe companyofothergirlscomingtohim.Shesatdownclosetohim.Theothergirlssatbehindher.She instructedoneofthegirlstoliftmeandwarned:Dontwakehimup.Allthegirlstogetherlifted me.Hecontinues: Theyplacedmeonthemostluxuriousandcomfortablebed.NeverinmylifehadIseensucha beautifulbed.Iwaslookingatherandlisteningtoherinstructions.Sheinstructed:Putflowers aroundthebed.

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Thegirlscompliedwithherorder.Shethenapproachedmeandplacingherhandonmypainfulleg said:StandandperformSalaat.AllahTaalahascuredyou. Myeyessuddenlyopened.Thepainwasgone.FromthatdayuntiltodayIneverbecameill.Tothis daythesweetnessofherinstruction:StandandperformSalaat.Allahhascuredyou.,isinmy heart. Healsonarratesthefollowingepisode: OnenightIwasovercomewithsleepandImissedallmyauraadandwazaaif.InadreamIsawthe mostbeautifulgirlapproachingme.NeverhadIseensuchbeauty.Shewasdressedinsilkgarments. HershoeswererecitingTasbeehandhershoelacesTaqdees(proclaimingAllahsholiness).Shesaid tome: OIbnZaid!Striveinmypursuit.Iaminsearchofyou. Shethenrecitedaverse,thetranslationofwhichis: Hewhopurchasesmeandbecomesthecomfortandrestofmyheart,histradeisprofitable. Iasked:Whatisyourprice? Shesaid:MypriceisloveforAllahandalongwithlove,obediencetoAllah.And,mypriceisdeep contemplationblendedwithsadness. Iasked:Girl!Whoisyourmaster? Shesaid:MyMasterisHeWhodoesnotrefusemypriceofferedbyonewhodesiresme.(i.e. AllahistheMaster.) Hearingthisanswer,ShaikhAbdulWahid(rahmatullahalayh)wokeupandtookanoaththathe wouldneveragainsleep.Thus,heperformedFajrSalaatwithIshaswudhuforfortyyears. Henarratesthefollowingepisode: IarrivedatthemonasteryofamonkinChi???.Icalledout:ORaahib(monk)!ORaahib!Buthe didnotrespond.Icalledasecondtime.Againtherewasnoresponse.AfterIcalledhimthethird time,heappearedandsaid: IamnotaRaahib.ARaahibisonewhofearsTheAllahWhoisintheheavenshehonoursHis greatnesshehaspatienceinthecalamitiesofAllah,heiscontentedwithAllahsdecreehepraises AllahforHisforgivenessheexpressesgratitudeforHisbountiesheishumbleinthepresenceof HisGloryheacceptsHisPowerhefastsduringthedayheperformsSalaatatnightthementionof Jahannumkeepshimawake.SuchapersonisaRaahib.Onthecontrary,Iamawilddogwhich preysonotheranimals.Ihaveimprisonedmyselfhereforfearofdevouringpeoplewithmytongue. Iasked:ORaahib!WhathasmisledpeoplefromAllahTaala? Hesaid:Obrother!AfterhavingrecognisedAllah,itis theloveoftheworldwhichhasledpeopleawayfromAllah.Loveoftheworldistherootof transgression.Anintelligentpersonishewhoexpelsthislovefromhisheartandrepentsforhissins. HefocuseshisattentiononthingswhichbringaboutnearnesstoAllah. Narratinganotherepisode,HadhratAbdulWahid(rahmatullahalayh)said: AybSakhtiyaniandmyselfwerejourneyingalongtheroadleadingtothelandofShaam.Wemeta Habshimancarryingaloadofwoodonhishead.Weasked:OHabshi!WhoisyourRabb?He said:Youaskamanlikeme.Heplacedhisloadonthegroundandturninghisfacetowardsthe
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heavensaid: OAllah!Transformthisloadintogold. Theloadturnedintogold.Hesaidtous:Watchit.Heagainsupplicated: OAllah!Transformitintowood. Thegoldbecamewood.Thenheadded: YoumayasktheAarifeen.Theirwonderswillnotcease. HadhratAybsaysthathewasastonishedanddumbstruckbytheconditionoftheHabshi.Ifelt greatlyashamed.Wethenaskedifhehadsomefood.TheHabshimadeasignwithhishandanda dishofhoneyappeared.Thehoneywasclearerthaniceanditsfragrancesweeterthanmusk.Hetold ustoeatit,addingthatitisnotthehoneyofbees.Therewasnothingmoredeliciousthanthishoney. Whenhesawoursurpriseandbewilderment,hesaid: ApersonwhoissurprisedbysuchmiraclesisnotanAarif.Hewhoexpressessurpriseisfarfrom Allah.HewhoworshipsafterseeingmiraclesisignorantofAllahTaala. HisKaraamaat Hehaddisplayednumerouskaraamaat(miracles).Oncehewasattheriverbank.Theboatman allowedonlythoseontotheboatwhocouldpaythefee.Thoseunabletopaywerenotallowedonto theboat.Addressingthefuqara,hesaid:ConveytotheriverfromAbdulWahidthemessage: Becomedry! Thefuqaraconveyedthismessagetotheriver.Consequently,thewaterdecreasedsomuch,thatthe fuqaracrossedwithease. Onceagroupoffuqarawasseatedbyhim.Hehadnothingtooffer.Hungerforcedthemtomakea requesttoHadhratAbdulWahid.Hemadeduaanddinarsbegantoshowerdownonthem.Foodwas bought.EveryoneexceptShaikhAbdulWahidate. Oncetheboatinwhichhewas,wasdriventoaremoteislandbystrongwinds.Therehefoundan idolworshipper.WhenHadhratAbdulWahidasked:Whodoyouworship?,theidolatershowed theidol.HadhratAbdulWahidinvitedhimtoacceptIslam,sayingthatonlytheCreatorofallthings deservestobeworshipped. Idolater:HowdoesoneknowoftheexistenceofsuchaCreator? AbdulWahid:BythenewsconveyedbytheRasool. Idolater:WhereistheRasool? AbdulWahid:Afterdeliveringhismessageandcompletinghismissionhehasdepartedfromthis world. Idolater:Didheleaveanysignofhistruthwithyou? AbdulWahid:TheBookofAllah. AfterHadhratAbdulWahidrecitedtheQuraantohim,theidolatersaid:

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Truly,thisisthespeechofaBeingWhocannotbedisobeyed. HethenacceptedIslamwithasincereheart.WhenShaikhAbdulWahidleft,thispersonalsoleftthe islandandaccompaniedtheShaikh.Whentheyarrivedatacertainplace,theShaikhcollectedsome moneyfromhisfriendsandpresentedittotheislanddweller.Buthedeclinedtoacceptandsaid: WhenIwasworshippinganidolanddidnotknowAllah,Hedidnotdestroyme.WillHenow forsakemewhileIamworshippingHim? AtnightwheneveryonewenttosleepafterSalaat,hesaid:DoesAllahtoosleepatnight? Allsaid:HeistheLivingOneWhoneithersleepsnorslumbers. Theislanddwellersaid:Whattypeofslavesareyou?WhileyourMasterisawake,youareasleep. Thisislanddwellerwasengagedinibaadatallthetime.Afterafewdayshedied.HadhratAbdul WahidinadreamsawthispersonoccupyingloftystationsinJannat. TowardstheendofhislifeHadhratAbdulWahidbecameseverelyill.Itissaidthathewas paralysed,henceunabletomakewudhu.OncewhenitwastimeforSalaat,noonewaspresentto assisthimwithwudhu.Hebecameextremelyrestless.Hemadeduaandimmediatelyhewascured. ThusheperformedhisSalaatverycalmly.AftertheSalaat,thesicknessreturned. HadhratAbdulWahidsaysthatforthreenightsheaskedAllahTaalatorevealtohimhereon earthwhowillbehiscompanioninJannat.Afterthreedaysitwasrevealedtohimthathis companionwillbeMaimnahSaudawhowasanintenselyblackwoman,hencethenameSauda. Afterheaskedforherwhereabouts,itwasrevealedtohimthatshewaslivingwithacertaintribein Kufa.Hecontinuesthenarrationasfollows: OnreachingKufaImadeenquiriesaboutherwhereabouts.Iwasinformedthatshewasa shepherdessandcouldbefoundinacertainforesttendingtothegoats.WhenIreachedthere,I foundherwrappedinacloakengaginginNamaaz.Thegoatsweregrazingwhilewolveswere minglingwiththeflockwithoutcausinganyharmtothegoats.AsIcameclosersheshortenedher Namaaz.AfterendingtheNamaazshesaid:AbdulWahid!Nottoday.Gotoday.Thepromiseof meetingistomorrow(i.e.Qiyaamah). Isaid:MayAllahhavemercyonyou.HowdidyouknowIamAbdulWahid? Maimnah:Dontyouknowthatineternityallsoulsweregatheredlikeanarmy.Thosewhohad recognisedoneanotherthere,recogniseoneanotherhere.(ThiswhatMaimnahsaidisinfact mentionedinahighlyauthentichadith). AbdulWahid:Givemesomenaseehat. Maimnah:Itissurprisingthatsuchagreatlecturerlikeyouaskingothersfornaseehat.Ithas reachedmefromthepiousonesthatAllahTaalaeliminatestheloveofcommuningwithHimin solitudefromapersonwhoengrossesinthepursuitofsuchworldlybountieswhichAllahTaalahas alreadybestowedtohim.InsteadofnearnesstoAllah,heismadetodriftfarfromAllahTaala. InsteadofenjoyinglovewithAllah,terrorisinstilledinhim. Thereaftersherecitedfiveverses.Thegistofwhichisasfollows: OLecturer!Youcounselandadmonishothers.Youpreventothersfromtransgressionswhileyou, yourselfareinvolvedinsuchtransgression.Ifyoureformyourselfandrepent,yourspeechwill penetratetheirhearts.Butbeingyourselftrappedinsins,youdoubtwhatyouaresayingtoothers. Iaskedhertoexplainwhythegoatsandwolvesaretogether.Shesaid:Goandconcernyourself withyourwork.IhavemadepeacewithmyMaster.Hehascreatedpeacebetweenthegoatsandthe

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wolves. HisDemise Somesaythathediedon27Safar170Hijriwhileotherssay177or176or186Hijri.Hisgraveisin Basrah.KhwajahFudhailBinIyadh,KhwajahAbulFadlBinRazeenandKhwajahAbuYaqbSsiare histhreeseniorkhulafaa.SincethefirstofthesethreeseniorsisalinkinourSilsilah,weshallnow discusshim.

KHWAAJAHFUDHAILBINIYAADHBIN MAS'UDBINBISHRTAMEEMI(rahmatullah alayhima)

HisnicknamesareAbuAliandAbulFadhl.SomehavealsomentionedAbulFaidh.Hisoriginal homelandwasKufa.HewasborninSamarqandorBukhaara. BesidesbeingtheKhalifahofHadhratAbdulWahid,healsoacquiredkhilaafatefromAbuIydhBin MansrBinMamarSalmiwhowasthekhalifahofMuhammadBinHabeebwhowasthekhalifahof HadhratAbuBakrSiddique(radhiyallahuanhu).InthiswaythisSilsilahreachedRasulullah( )throughthemediumofHadhratAbuBakrSiddique(radhiyallahuanhu). Hefastedcontinuously,noteatingforfivedaysatatime(besidesmerelybreakingthefastatthe timeofiftaar).Hewouldperform500rakatsSalaateveryday.TheauthorofAnwarulAafireen narratesthatonceHadhratFudhailwashedalimbtwicebyerrorinwudhuinsteadofthrice.Atnight hesawRasulullah()tellinghiminadream: Fudhail,itisnotexpectedofyoutoomitmySunnatinwudhu. Hiseyesopenedwithshockandfear.Tocompensatefortheomissionandasapenanceheimposed 500rakatsSalaatonhimselfdailyforafullyear. Inthebeginning(beforeheenteredSulook),FudhailBinIyadhwastheleaderofabandofhighway robbers.Allmembersofhisbandalwayswereinhiscompany.Inspiteofhisprofessionofdacoity, hewasstrictinperformingSalaatwithJamaat,NaflSalaatandRoza(fasting). Onceonamissionofrobbery,heheardsomeonerecitingthisaayat:

What!HasthetimenotdawnedontheBelieversfortheirheartstomeltforthethikrofAllah? Theeffectofthisaayatonhisheartreducedhimtotearsandsobbing.Herepeatedlysaid: Yes,thetimehasarrivedandIhaveturnedtoAllah. *WhenAllahTaalawishessomethingtohappen,Hecreatestheappropriateconditionsforit.From theveryinceptionofhisprofession,hewouldkeepaproperaccountofthedetailsofwhomeverhe

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andhisbandrobbed.Theamount,name,etc.wererecorded.Thisrecordprovedhighlybeneficial whenherepentedandabandonedhisevilprofession.Hemadeamendsandcompensatedeveryone whomhehadrobbed. However,oneJewrefusedtoforgivehim,claimingthatthebagwhichwastakenfromhimwas filledwithgold.NomatterhowmanyoathsHadhratFudhailtook,theJewwasadamantinhis refusal.FinallytheJewsaid: Ihavealreadytakenanoathnottoforgiveyouaslongasyoudonotgivemethebagfullofgold. Therefore,entermyhouseandyouwillseeaboxinwhichthereisabagofgold.Bringittomeso thatmyoathcanbedischarged.Ishallthenforgiveyou. HadhratFudhailbroughtthebagtotheJew.WhentheJewopenedthebag,itwasfullofgold.He thensaid: Iwasconvincedofyoursincererepentance.Thisbaghadcontainedpebbles.Ihavereadinthe Taurahthatevensandwillturnintogoldinthehandsofapersonwhorepentssincerely. TheJewthenacceptedIslam. *OnedayHadhratFudhailpassedbyacaravan.Thepeopleofthecaravanwerespeakingamong themselvesandweresayingthatinthisareathereisanotoriousrobbernamedFudhail.Thepeople werefulloffearasthecaravanhadtojourneythroughtheterritorywhereFudhailsbandofrobbers formerlyoperated.HadhratFudhailhearingthisconversationsaid: Goodnewsforyou.Fudhailhasrepented.Henowfearsyouandfleesfromyoujustasyoufear him. *KhwajahFudhailmigratedtoKufaafterhisrepentanceandstayedforsometimeinthecompany ofImaamAbuHanifah(rahmatullahalayh).WiththeintentionofbecomingbayttoHadhratHasan Basri(rahmatullahalayh),hewenttoBasrah.WhenhereachedBasrah,tohisdismayhediscovered thatHadhratHasan(rahmatullahalayh)hadpassedaway.He,therefore,becamethemureedof HadhratAbdulWahid(rahmatullahalayh). *Heearnedalivelihoodforhimselfandhisfamilybyworkingasawatercarrier,fillingwaterfor peopleintheirhomes. *KhwajahAbuAlisaid: IstayedthirtyyearsinHadhratFudhailscompany,butsawhimlaughonlyonce. *HadhratImaamAhmadBinHambal(rahmatullahalayh)saidthatheheardHadhratFudhail (rahmatullahalayh)say: Hewhopursuesleadershipwillbedisgraced. WhenHadhratImaamAhmadrequestedfornaseehat,HadhratFudhailsaid: Remaininsignificant.Donotliveasagreatman. *HadhratFudhailsaid: HewhoacquirestheMarifatofAllahTaalawithoutlovewillbedestroyedbypride.Hewho acquiresKhaufwithoutlove,willfindhimselfofffromAllahbyterroranddespondency.

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CultivationofdivinefeartemperedwithloveforAllahresultsinqurb(nearnesstoAllah).Allah Taalawillhonouramanofsuchfearandlove. Imaanbecomesperfectonlywhenonefulfilsallcommands,abstainsfromallprohibitions,is contentedwiththedecreesoftaqdeerandfearsthepossibilityofdivinerejection. Toabstainfromdoinganacttoshowothersisriyaanddoinganacttoshowothersisshirk. Ifyouliveinaplacewhereyouseenopeoplenordoesanyoneseeyou,thenyouaremost fortunate. IamgratefultoamanwhodoesnotgreetmenorvisitsmewhenIamsick. OfgreatersurprisethanseeingsomeonecryinginJannatistoseesomeonelaughingonearth. Neverhopetofindthreepersons:AnAalimwhopractisesaccordingtothedegreeofhis knowledgeapersonwhohasikhlaasaccordingtothedegreeofthevirtuousdeedabrotherwhois withoutfault.Youwillneverfindthesethree. Inotherwords,ifyousearchforperfectioninhumanbeings,youwillbedeprivedoftheacquisition ofgoodnessandbenefit. Twoactscorrupttheheart:Sleepingmuchandeatingmuch. OncepeopleaskedforhisopinionregardingthepeopleofArafaat.Heresponded: IfFudhailisnotamongthem,theywillbeforgiven. Peopleasked:WhenwillfriendshipwithAllahTaalabeperfect?Fudhailreplied: WhenAllahsbestowingandwithholding(ofbounties)areequalinonesestimate. AllahTaalaafflictsworldlyworryonthebandahHelovesandHegrantsworldlycomforttothe oneHedislikes. Lanat(curse)descendsonamanwhoprofessesfriendshipforabrotherwhilehishearthates him.Suchapersonmaybecomeblindanddeaf. OncewhilehewassittingintheMusjid,amancameandsatclosetohim.WhenHadhratFudhail askedhisreasonforsittingbyhim,themanreplied:Toderivespirituallovefromyourheart. Fudhailsaid: Thisisterror,notlove.EitheryouleaveorIshallleave. Themanreluctantlydeparted. OnceinArafaat,cryingandsobbing,HadhratFudhaillookedtowardstheskyasthesunwasabout toset.Holdinghisbeard,heexclaimed: Evenifyou(i.e.himself)areforgiven,youwillbeagreatembarrassmentforme. People!AlwaysbegratefulforthebountiesofAllah.SeldomhasAllahTaalareinstatedthe favourswhichhehadsnatchedfrompeople. Eveniftheentireworldisbestowedtomewiththeassurancethatnoreckoningwillbetaken,

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thentoo,Ishallabhoritjustasyouabhoradeadanimal. Entryintotheworldissimple.Emergencefromitisdifficult. AmanwhodesiresthatpeoplelistenattentivelytohisdiscoursesisnotaZaahid(onewhohas renouncedtheworld). Whensomeoneslandersyou,knowthatheismorebeneficialtoyouthanafriendbecausehe transfershisvirtuousdeedstoyou(byslanderingyou). OncewhenHadhratSufyanBinUyainah(rahmatullahalayh)visitedHadhratFudhail,he (Fudhail)said: Atonetimeyou,theUlama,werethelanterns(ofHidaayat)forthecities.Butnow,youare darknessforthecities.You(atonetime)wereforpeoplestarsofguidancelikethestarsinthe heavenbymeansofwhichpeopleacquiretheirdirection.Now,youhavebecomefortheworlda sourceofconfusion.You(theUlama)havenoshameforAllah.Youvisitthewealthyandaccept theirgiftswithoutinvestigatingwhetherhalaalorharaam.Thenyoustandinthemihraabnarrating Ahaadith. WhileHadhratFudhailwasadmonishing,HadhratSufyanwithloweredheadwasrecitingIstighfaar (seekingforgivenessfromAllahTaala). Hesaid: HadhratLuqman(alayhissalaam)whowasaHabshislave,wastheQaadhiofBaniIsraaeel.He acquiredthisrankbyabstainingfromfutilespeechandacts,andbythetruthofhistongue. IftheUlamaadoptZuhd,thenecksofgreatoppressorswillbendinsubmissioninfrontofthem. But,Alas!Theyspendtheirknowledgeontheaffluentpeopleoftheworldinexchangeforworldly gain.They(Ulama)have,thereforefallenintheestimateofpeople. Onewhoindulgesinassociationwithpeoplewillmostcertainlybetrappedinriya(show). IlamenttheAalimwithwhomtheworldplays.IftheheartsofthepeopleoftheQuraanand Hadith(i.e.theUlama)becomedisenchantedwiththeworld,peoplewillnotbeabletomanipulate them. MyheartisagitatedgreatlywhenIhearthatanAalimoranAabidwentforHajjwiththemoney ofatrader. IftheintentionfortheacquisitionofIlmiscorrect,thenthereisnosuperioract(thanthe acquisitionofknowledge).But,generally,theintentionforpursuingofknowledgeisnotamal (righteousdeeds). HisDemise HadhratShaikhFudhailBinIyaadh(rahmatullahalayh)diedintheHaramShareefon3rdRabiul Awwal187HijriandisburiedinJannatulMala(theQabrustaaninMakkahMukarramah).His graveisneartothegraveofHadhratKhadijah(radhiyallahuanha).Somepeopleclaimthathehad diedinthemonthofMuharram. WhenheheardaQaarireciting(AlQaariah),heletoutaheartpiercingscreamanddied.

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HadhratAbdullahBinMubaraksaysthatwhenHadhratFudhailpassedaway,theheavenscriedand anominoussilencesettledovertheworld. HadhratFudhailhadfiveKhulafaa,viz.SultanIbrahimBinAdham,ShaikhMuhammadShirazi, KhwajahBishrHafi,ShaikhAbuRajaAttarandKhwajahAbdullahSabari(rahmatullahalayhim). Ofthesefiveillustrioussouls,HadhratSultanIbrahimBinAdham(rahmatullahalayh)appearsin ourShajarah(SpiritualTree).Weshallnowproceedwithhisdiscussion.

SULTANIBRAAHIMBINADHAMBIN MANSUR(rahmatullahalayh)
Hisancestrythroughthemediumoffivepredecessors,linksupwithHadhratUmar(radhiyallahu anhu).SomepeopleclaimthathewasaSayyidofthelineofHadhratHusain(radhiyallahuanhu). HewasborninthecityofBalkh.HisnicknamewasAbuIshaq.KhwajahFudhailBinIyadh (radhiyallahuanhu)hadconferredthemantleofKhilaafatetohim.BesidesbeingtheKhalifahof HadhratFudhail,hewasalsotheKhalifahofKhwajahImranIbnMsa,KhwajahImaamBaqir, KhwajahShaikhMansrSalmiandKhwajahUwaisQarni(rahmatullahalayhim). Itwashisregularpracticetoremainhungryforfourandfivedaysatatime. InthebeginninghewasthekingofBalkh.FirsthewasadoptedasasonbythekingofBalkh.Later hebecametheking.Allahsspecialgracewasonhim,hencethecircumstancesforadoptingthePath ofRenunciationwentonunfoldingforHadhratIbrahimBinAdham. Oncewhilehiscourtwasinfullsessionamanofconsiderablereverence,aweanddignityentered. Theaweinspiringcountenanceofthemanwassooverwhelmingthatnoonehadthecourageto questionhisidentity.Whenhewasclosetothethrone,thekingasked:Whoareyou?Hereplied: Atravellersearchingforaninn. King:Thisisnotaninn.Itismypalace. Traveller:Whowasherebeforeyou? King:Thekingbeforeme. Traveller:Andbeforehim? King:Hisfather.Butneverwasthisaninn. Traveller:Allaregone.Thusitmeansthatthisisaninn. Thisconversationhadaprofoundaffectonthekingwhonowdevelopedtheyearningtosearchfor Allah. Oncewhilesleepingatnightheheardfootstepsontheroofofthepalace.WhenheaskedWhois there?,avoicereplied:Iamsearchingformycamel. King:Whocanbemoreignorantthanyou,searchingforacamelonthepalaceroof? Voice:ThepersonwhosearchesforAllahwhilesittingonaroyalthroneismoreignorant. ThearrowofDivineLovepiercedIbrahimAdhamsheart.Allofasuddenherenouncedthethrone andsetoutintothewilderness.Hetookupresidenceinamountain.OnThursdays,hewould descendfromthemountain,gatherfirewoodandsellit.Whateverheacquiredfromthesaleofthe

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wood,halfwouldhespentinthepathofAllah.Theotherhalfwasusedtobuyfoodforthe following7days.Afterspendingaconsiderabletimeinthewilderness,hewasdivinelyinstructedto gotoMakkahMukarramahwhereheenteredintothespiritualcompanionshipofHadhratFudhail (rahmatullahalayh).Asaresult,HadhratIbrahimBinAdhamgainedspiritualdistinctionandgreat spiritualheights.HadhratJunaidBaghdadi(rahmatullahalayh)observed: ThekeyofspiritualknowledgewhichisbestowedtotheAuliyaisIbrahim. Afterhehadabandonedthethrone,theleadersandrulersofBalkhrepeatedlyappealedtohimto return.However,HadhratIbrahimBinAdhamneveragainacceptedthethrone. OncealongtheriverbanksHadhratIbrahimwassewinghistatteredshawlwhensomeroyal courtiersappearedandappealedtohimtocomeback.Theyweresaddenedbyhisforlornand tatteredstateandwonderedwhathehadgainedbyhavingsacrificedthethroneofBalkh.Hadhrat Ibrahimthrewhisneedleintotheriverandsaid: Youareministers(ofacountry)andrulers.Retrievemyneedle. Whentheyobviouslywereunable,headdressedthefishesintheriverandcommandedthemtobring hisneedle.Innumerablefishessimultaneouslyappearedonthesurfaceofthewater,eachwitha needleofgoldinitsmouth.Noneofthefishhadhisoriginalneedle.Hecommandedthathisoriginal needleberetrieved.Atinyfishsurfacedwithhisneedleinitsmouth.HadhratIbrahimtookthe needleandsaid: Mykingdomnowextendsoverthewholeworld.WhatcanIdowithyourinsignificantkingdom? OncewhilesittingonMountAbuQubaiswithacompanion,hesaidthattherearesomeservants ofAllahwhosecommandcausesamountaintomove.Ashesaidthis,themountainshook.Hadhrat Ibrahimcommanded: Bestationery.Iwasnarratinganepisode,notissuinganinstruction. Themountainbecamecalm. Onceheaskedabuzrugwhowasamasterofkaraamat: Whatprofessionhaveyouadoptedforyourlivelihood? Buzrug:Ieatwhatevercomesmyway.Ifthereisnothing,Iadoptpatience. Ibrahim:Thisiswhatthecitydogstoodo.Theproperattitudeistosacrificewhatyouobtainand adoptsabr. OncesomeoneaskedHadhratIbrahim: Whoseworshipperareyou? Onhearingthis,HadhratIbrahimshudderedandfelldownunconscious.Whenheregained conscious,herecitedtheaayat:

EverythingintheheavensandearthwillcometoRahmaanasaslave. Whenthemanaskedwhyhedidnotanswerinthebeginning,HadhratIbrahimsaid:

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IfIsaythatIamAllahsslave,IfearbecauseofmyinabilitytofulfiltherightsofservingHim. HowcanIthenclaimtobeaslave?IfIsaythatIamnotHisslave,Ifearthedangerofkufr. Formanyyearshelivedinthewildernessandfor9yearshelivedintheCaveofNishaapur engaginghimselfinrigorousspiritualtraining.Heatealwaysfromhisownearnings.Sometimeshe soldfirewoodandsometimesheworkedinsomeonesorchard. Onceapolicemanapproachedhimwhilehewasemployedinanorchardanddemandedafruit. HadhratIbrahimAdhamrefused.Thepolicemanstruckhimwithawhiponthehead.Hadhrat Ibrahimloweredhisheadandsaid: TheheadwhichhasdisobeyedAllahAzzawaJaldeservedtobethrashed. Hearingthisexpression,thepolicemanapologised.HadhratIbrahimsaid: TheheadforwhichapologieswouldbeofferedhasbeenleftinBalkh. Onceatthetimeoftawaafwhilegivingnaseehattoaman,hesaid: Untilfivevalleyshavenotbeentraversed,therankoftheSaaliheencannotbeattained.First:Close thedoorofnimatandopenthedoorofhardship.Second:Closethedoorofrespectandopenthe doorofdisgrace.Third:Closethedoorofcomfortandopenthedoorofdifficulty.Fourth:Closethe doorofsleepandopenthedoorofwakefulness.Fifth:Closethedoorofwealthandopenthedoorof poverty. Somepeoplecameandcomplainedthatalionwasblockingtheroad.HadhratIbrahimwenttothe lionandsaid: OAbulHarith!IfyouhavebeencommandedbyAllah,thenactaccordingly,otherwiseclearoff. Thelionimmediatelywentaway. OnceafterIshaSalaat,theImaamorderedHadhratIbrahimoutoftheMusjidashewantedtoclose up.Sinceitwasextremelycoldoutside,HadhratIbrahimrequestedpermissiontospendthenight insidetheMusjid.However,theImaamrefusedpermission,sayingthattravellersstealtheMusjids items.WhenHadhratIbrahiminsisted,theImaamsaidthatevenifIbrahimBinAdhamcomes,he toowillnotbeallowedtosleepintheMusjid.WhenHadhratsaid:IamIbrahimBinAdham,the Imaambecamefuriousaccusinghimofspeakinglies.TheImaamdraggedhimandpushedhimout oftheMusjid. HadhratIbrahimthenwenttowardsahammaam(publicbathroom).Amanwaslightingalanternat thehammaam.HadhratIbrahimgreeted,butthemandidnotreply.Hewasengrossedinhiswork andwasglancingfearfullyinalldirections.Afterhavingdonehiswork,herepliedtotheSalaam. WhenIbrahimaskedthereasonforthedelayinanswering,hesaid: Iamworkingforsomeone.IthoughtthatIwillbeabusinghistrustifIbecameinvolvedinreplying toyouashisworkwillbedelayed. HadhratIbrahimaskedabouthisglancingthiswayandthatway.Hesaid: IfeartheAngelofDeathmaycome. Afterashortdiscussion,hesaid: Forthepast20yearsIammakingdua: OAllah!DontletmediebeforemeetingIbrahimBinAdham. Thiswishhasnotyetbeenfulfilled.
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HadhratIbrahimthenrevealedhimself,saying: Ihavebeensenttoyourollingonmyhead. ThiswasareferencetotheImaamhavingpushedhimoutviolentlyfromtheMusjid.Theman sighedwithreliefandsaid: Alhamdulillah!Mywishhasbeengranted. HeembracedHadhratIbrahimandsaid: NowIhavenomorewishes.OAllah!NowgrantmeunionwithYou. AllahTaalaacceptedthiswish.Themandiedimmediately. Peopleasked:WhydoesAllahnotacceptourdua?HadhratIbrahimsaid: YouknowAllah,butyoudontworshipHim.YouknowHisRasoolandtheQuraan,butyoudo notobey.Youeathisbounties,butyouarenotgrateful.Youdonotmakepreparationstoacquire JannatnortoabstainfromJahannum.YouknowShaitaanisyourenemy,butyoudonothatehim. YouknowMautwillbecoming,butyouarenotconcerned.Youburyyourparentsintheirgraves, butyouderivenolesson.Youknowthatyouhavedefects,yetyousearchforthefaultsofothers. Howthencanyourduabeaccepted? Hesaid:Thepeopleoftheworldpursuepeaceandcomfortonearth,butfailtofindthese.Ifthey knowofthekingdomwehave,theywillfightwithswordstoacquireit. Oncesomeonepresented10,000dirhamstoHadhratIbrahim.Refusingit,hesaid: Doyouwishmetoacceptthismoneyandhavemynamestruckofftherollofthefuqara?Never shallIdoso. OnceHadhratIbrahimsawanintoxicatedmanlayingunconsciousintheroad.Hismouthwas frothing.HadhratIbrahimwashedhismouthandtongueandcommented: ThistongueshouldengageinthethikrofAllah.Alas!Whatacalamityhasbefallenit! Whenthemancametohissenses,peopletoldhimwhathadhappened.Hewasgreatlyashamedof himself.Herepentedandpromisedneveragaintoconsumeliquor. Afterthisincident,HadhratIbrahimheardinadreamsomeonesaying: YouhadpurifiedhistongueforMySake.Ihavepurifiedhisheartforyoursake. SomeonewantedtoknowatwhattimepeoplecouldcometoHadhratIbrahimtolistentohistalks. Hesaid: Iamengrossedinfouractivities.WhenIhavecompletedthem,youmaycome. 1)IneternitywhenAllahTaalatookthePledgefromall,hedividedmankindintotwogroupsone forJannatandoneforJahannum.AtalltimesIamoccupiedwiththisworrybecauseIdonotknow towhichgroupIbelong. 2)Whenthebabyisformedinitsmotherswomb,anAngelasksAllahTaala:ShouldIrecordhim fortunateorunfortunate. Myconstantworryis:HaveIbeenrecordedfortunateorunfortunate. 3)WhentheAngeltakespossessionofmansrooh,heasks:ShouldIassignthissoultothegroup ofMuslimorKaafirsouls?

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IdonotknowwhatanswertheAngelwillreceiveregardingmyrooh. Thisismyconstantfear. 4)ItwillbecommandedinQiyaamat: Becomeseparated(fromthepiousones)today,Otransgressors! IconstantlyworryinthisregardbecauseIdonotknowintowhichgroupIshallbeassigned. Hesaid: TheheaviestdeedintheScaleonthedayofQiyaamahwillbethedeedwhichwasmostdifficulton earth. OnceamanstayedforsometimeinthecompanyofHadhratIbrahim.Whenthemanwasaboutto departhesaid: Ifthereisanyfaultinme,tellme. HadhratIbrahimsaid: IdidnotseeanyfaultinyoubecauseIhadalwaysviewedyouwithlove.Youshouldthereforeput thisquestiontosomeoneelse. AnAalimrequestedsomeadvice.HadhratIbrahimsaid: Staylikeatail.Dontbelikeahead.Theheadiscutoffandthetailisleft. AmancomplainedofinabilitytoriseforTahajjudSalaat.HadhratIbrahimsaid: DontdisobeyAllahTaaladuringtheday.TostandinthepresenceofAllahatnightisagreat honour.Adisobedientmandoesnotqualifyforthishonour. AwellknownclaimoftheSfiyahisthatapersonisdeprivedofTahajjudSalaatbecauseof committingsins. HisDemise Therearedifferentviewsregardingtheyearofhisdeath.AccordingtoHafizBinHajar,Hadhrat Ibrahimpassedawayintheyear162HijriaccordingtoSamani,in161Hijri.Fromthisitappears thathediedinShaam25or26yearsbeforehisShaikh,HadhratFudhailBinIyadh.Hisagewas102 years. Ontheoccasionofhisdemise,avoicewasheardexclaiming: NowtheImaamoftheworldhasdied. HisgraveissaidtobeinShaam(Syria).SomesaythatitisinMadinahMunawwarah. HadhratShaikhIbrahimBinAdham(rahmatullahalayh)hadtwoKhulafaaKhwajahShaqeeq BalkhiandHuzaifahAlMurashi.Thelatterwillnowbediscussed.

KHWAAJAHHUZAIFAH ALMARASHI(rahmatullahalayh)
HistitleisSadeedudDeen.AttheageofsevenhewasalreadyaHafiz(Expert)ofthesevenQirats.

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Attheageof16aftercompletingtheacquisitionofUloomeZaahiriyyah(academicknowledge)he linkedupwithHadhratIbrahimAdhambymeansoftheguidanceofHadhratKhidhr(alayhis salaam).WithinsixmonthsheachievedperfectioninSulook.Heisanauthorofmanybookson Sulook. Hewouldeatonlyaftersixdaysasaruleandsay: Thenourishmentofthosewhohaveheartsis . Cryingwasdominantinhim.Whenasked:Whydoyoucrysomuch?Doyounotbelieveinthe graceandmercyofAllah?,heresponded: Theverse:

AgroupwillbeinJannatandagroupwillbeinJahannam. IdonotknowinwhichgroupIshallbe. Itwassaid:Ifthisisyourcondition,whydoyoumakebaytofothers? Onhearing,thisHadhratHuzaifahdrewalongsighandfelldownunconscious.Whenheregained hisconscious,avoicefromtheghaib(unknownandunseenrealm),whicheveryoneheard,conveyed thegladtidingsofJannatforhim.Itissaidthatonhearingthisvoice300kaafirsacceptedIslam. HadhratHuzaifahsaid: Ifsomeonetakesanoathandsaysthatmy(referringtohimself)deedsdonotresemblethedeeds ofamanwhobelievesinQiyaamah,Iwillsay:Youhavespokenthetruth.Youdonthaveto dischargekaffaarahfortheoath. Thebestvirtueistoremainathome.IfIhadsomeexcusefornotgoingoutforFardhSalaat,I wouldhaveavailedmyselfthereofandremainalwaysathome. HisDemise Accordingtothepopularview,HadhratHuzaifah(rahmatullahalayh)passedawayoneither14thor 24thShawwaal206Hijri.Sharaanisaysthathediedin207Hijri. HehadseveralKhulafaa,themostfamousbeingKhwajahHubairahBasri(rahmatullahalayh).Itis saidthatImaamShaafi(rahmatullahalayh)wasalsoamonghisKhulafa.

KHWAAJAHABUHUBAIRAH(rahmatullah alayh)
MostMashaikhwritehisnameonlyasHubairah.SomesayAbuHubairah.HistitlewasAmeenud Deen.HewasborninBasrahintheyear167Hijri.Bytheageof17hewasanAalim,Faadhiland HafizoftheQuraan.Mujaahadahwashishabitfromanearlyage.HewouldrecitetwoQuraan

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Majeeddaily. Afterstrivingfor30years,hecriedprofusely,forhebelievedhimselftobeafailureinthespiritual path.AvoicefromtheghaibgavehimthegladtidingsofJannatandhewasinstructedtojointhe companyofKhwajahAlMarashitolearnFaqeeri(i.e.Sulook).Sincehehadalreadystruggled (mademujaahadah)for30years,withinaweekheachievedperfectionunderHadhratHuzaifah AlMarashi.Afterayearhewasappointedkhalifah. Helovedsolitudedearly.Hisentirelifewasspentinoneroom.Hewouldcrysomuchthatpeople thoughthewoulddie.Heabandonedalldeliciousfoods. Wheneverheintendedtoprobeanissue,hewouldbeapprizedthereofbyamomentoftawajjuh (spiritualconcentration).Knowledgewouldthusberevealedforhiminspirationally. HadhratHubairahsaysthatwhenthemantleofkhilaafatwasconferredtohim,theRoohof Rasulullah()andtheArwaah(souls)ofalltheAkaabir(Seniors)ofSulookwere revealed.Allweremakingduaforhim. HisDemise HadhratHubairah(rahmatullahalayh)passedawayon7thShawwaal287Hijri.Somehavewritten 279Hijri.HisgraveisinBasrah.Hereachedtheageof120years. AllBranchesofTasawwufwhichemanatedfromhimarecalledHubeeriyyaa.Hemayhavehad severalkhulafaa.However,IamawareofonlyKhwajahMumshaadiwhoisamemberofour Silsilah.Hisdiscussionwillnowfollow.

KHWAAJAHILWMUMSHAD DINWARI(rahmatullahalayh)
HistitlewasKarimudDeenMunim.DinwarisacitybetweenthecitiesofHamdaanandBaghdaad. HehailsfromDinwar.HeisknownbythetitleKarimudDeenMunimbecauseofhisgenerosity.He wasverywealthy.Heattendedtotherequirementsofagreatnumberofneedyandpoor.Afterwards headoptedpovertyandwenttoMakkahMukarramah. Heacquiredperfectioninmujaahadahandriyaadhat(spiritualexercisesandpenances).Hewasa HafizoftheQuraanandanImaaminUloomeZaahiriandUloomeBaatini. Hewashonouredwiththecompany(suhbat)ofIbnJalaandhisseniors.BesidesKhwajah Hubairah,he(HadhratMumshad)hadacquiredIjaazat(i.e.KhilaafatePermissiontoinitiate Mureedeen)inseveralotherSilsilahaswell. ThereissomeuncertaintyinwhetherKhwajahMumshadDinwariandKhwajahIlwDinwariarethe samepersonortwodifferentpersons.Sincethedateofdeathandotheranecdotesattachedtoboth namesareidentical,itappearsthatbothnamesrefertothesameperson.However,onaccountofthe Silsilahattachedtothenamesbeingdifferent,someclaimthatthesetwonamesrefertodifferent persons.KhwajahIlwDinwariisenumeratedintheChishtiSilsilahwhileKhwajahMumshad DinwariissaidtobelongtotheSuharwardiSilsilah.However,thefirstviewismorereliable.

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Hewasaperpetualfaster.Itissaidthatevenduringinfancyhewouldsometimesabstainfrom drinkinghismothersmilk.Heisthereforecalledabornwali. Beforebecomingbayt,hewasinthesuhbat(company)ofHadhratKhidhr(alayhissalaam)who instructedhimtoattachhimselftoaShaikh.Immediatelyonbecomingbayt,hewasgivenIjaazat (appointedKhalifah).HisShaikhcastTawajjuhonhimandmadeaspecialduaforhim. SimultaneouslywiththeduaHadhratIlwMumshadbecameunconscious.Heregainedconscious onlytobecomeunconsciousagain.Afterthisstate(consciousnessandunconsciousness)occurred fortytimes,hisShaikhappliedhissalivatoHadhratMumshadsmouth.Thiscompletelystabilised him.TheShaikhasked:Ilw,whatdidyousee?Hesaid: InthirtyyearsofmujaahadahIdidnotacquirewhatIgainedinalittletawajjuhoftheShaikh. HadhratMumshadswordshadapowerfuleffectontheheartsofpeople.Oncewhenhesawafew idolatersworshippinganidol,hesaid: DoesitnotshameyoutoworshipsomethingbesidesAllah? ThisstatementaloneconstrainedthewholegroupofidolaterstoacceptIslam.(Apersonwhose wordsexerciseoverwhelminginfluenceontheaudienceiscalledSaahibeTatheer). SomeofHisSayings Amanwhoconsidershimselfsignificantevenwhileinthecompanyofabuzrugwillgainnothing fromtheadvicesofthatbuzrug. Sittinginthesuhbatofthepeopleofrectitude(i.e.theAuliya)producesrectitudeintheheart whilethecompanyofthepeopleofcorruptionproducescorruptionintheheart. AbandonmentoffutilityiscalledTasawwuf.Abandoningthingstowhichtheheartinclinesis calledtawakkul. UntilIhadleftbehindallmyknowledgeandconditions(spiritualstates),Ididnotgointothe companyofabuzrug.AfterIhadleftmyUloomandHaalaat(spiritualstates),Ienteredintothe serviceofabuzrugandwaitedinexpectationofthebarakaat(spiritualblessingsandbenefits)which areobtainablefromhisziyaarat(lookingathim)andhisdiscourse.Whenamangoeswithhisown spiritualstatestoabuzrug,thenheisdeprivedofthefuyoodh(spiritualbenefits)ofthatbuzrug becauseofengrossmentinhisownknowledge. Ifyouaccumulatethewisdomofformerandlatertimesandifyouclaimtopossessthespiritual statesoftheAuliya,youwillnotreachtherankoftheAarifeenaslongasyourbaatin(spiritual heart)isnotatpeacewithAllahandaslongasyoulackcompleterelianceonwhathasbeen predestinedforyou. Thechangingconditions(oflifeonearth)donotinfluenceamanwhosegoalisAllahTaala. OnoneofmyjourneysIsawaShaikhfromwhomthesignsofgoodnessexuded.Irequestedhim fornaseehat.Hesaid: Keepupyourcourageandguardit.Courageistheforerunnerofamansrighteousdeeds.Allacts andstatesbecomesimpleforonewhosecourageishigh.

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HisDemise InTabqaat,ImaamSharanisaysthatKhwajahMumshad(rahmatullahalayh)diedintheyear297 Hijri.However,accordingtotheauthorofKhazeenah298Hijriistheunanimousclaimofthe historians.TheauthorofAnwarrecordsthedateas14thMuharram299Hijriwhichwastheeraof thereignoftheAbbasiKhalifah,MuqtadirBillah.HisgraveisinDinwar. Ontheoccasionofhisdeath,abuzrugwhowassittingneartohimwasmakingduaforJannat(i.e. MayAllahgrantHadhratMumshadJannat).HadhratMumshadlaughedandsaid: For30yearsJannatwithallitsadornmentsappearedbeforeme,butIdidnottakeaproperlookatit evenonce.IyearnfortheMasterofJannat. KhwajahAbuMuhammad,KhwajahAbuAhmadBaghdaadi,KhwajahAbuIshaqandKhwajah IstidadAhmadDinwariarehiskhulafaa.AmongthemKhwajahAbuIshaqisamemberofour Shajarah.

KHWAAJAHABUISHAAQ(rahmatullahalayh)
HistitlewasSharfudDeenorSharifudDeen.HewasanembodimentofUloomeZaahiriyyahand UloomeBaatiniyyah.HewasborninthetownofChisht.HewasagreatZaahid.Hewouldeatonly aftersevendays.Hewouldsaythatthepleasureandtasteobtainableinhungerarenotexperienced inotherthings.HealsosaidthattheMiraajoftheFuqaraishunger. WhenhecontemplatedtobecomebaythemadeIstikhaarafor40daysinsuccession.Hethenheard avoicesaying: Ifyoudesiretoreachthedestination,gotoMumshadDinwari. ThenameChishtiyyahforourSilsilahinitiallygainedrecognitionfromhistime.Afterhim,another fourMashaikhwerealsofromChisht.Itisforthisreasonthatthename,Chishtiyyahattainedfame. WhenhisShaikh,KhwajahMumshadaskedhisname,hereplied:AbuIshaqShami.TheShaikh said:FromtodayyouwillbeknownasAbuIshaqChishtibecausethepeopleofChishtwillacquire guidancefromyouandyourSilsilahwillbeknownasChishtiyyahuntilthedayofQiyaamah. Hiskaraamaatarepeculiarlysignificant.Whoeverhadthegoodfortuneofsittinginhismajlis (gathering),wouldnotagaincommitsins. Sickpersonsenteringhismajliswouldbecured.Whenhecontemplatedgoingonajourney,a hundredortwohundredpeoplewouldaccompanyhim.Hewouldclosehiseyesandinmomentsbe athisdestinationwithhisentireentourage. Onceduringadrought,thekingcametoHadhratAbuIshaqandrequestedhimtomakedua.Hadhrat casthistawajjuhandtheraincame.Whenthekingcamethenextdayagainwithsomeneedofhis, HadhratAbuIshaqwept.Thekingaskedthereasonforhisgrief.Hadhratreplied: ThefrequencyofthekingsvisitsputsinmethefearthatIhavecommittedsomesin,hence associationwiththeaffluenthasincreasedsomuchresultinginacorrespondingdecreaseinmy associationwiththepoor.Ifearthatsuddenlymyendcomesinthecompanyofthewealthyandnot
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withthemasaakeen(thepoor). HisDemise Hepassedawayon14thRabiuthThaani329Hijri.HisgraveisinAkkahwhichisonthebordersof Shaam.HiskhulafaaareKhwajahAbuAhmadAbdal,KhwajahAbuMuhammad,Khwajah Tajuddeenandothers.Thefirstone,namely,KhwajahAbuAhmadAbdal,willnowbediscussed.

KHWAAJAHABUAHMADABDAAL CHISHTI(rahmatullahalayh)
HistitlewasQudwatudDeen.BybirthhewasaSayyidHasani(i.e.oftheprogenyofHadhrat Hasanradhiyallahuanhu).HisfathersnamewasSultanFarsanafah.HewasborninChishton6th Ramadhaan260Hijri.Hisoutwardappearanceandhandsomenesswereincomparable.Hisface glitteredsomuchthatitwillnotbeanexaggerationtosaythatitlitupthedarkness. KhwajahAbuIshaqwouldoftenvisitSultanFarsanafah.OnedayhetoldSultanssisterthatyouwill behavinganephew.Takewellcareofyourbrother.Donotpermitadoubtful(mushtabah)morselof foodtoenterhismouth.Accordingly,shewenttogreatlengthstoensurethis.Finally,AbuAhmad wasbornduringthereignoftheAbbasiKhalifah,MutasimBillah.Fromtheageof7hestartedto frequentKhwajahAbuIshaq. HeacquiredbothUloomeZaahiriyyahandBaatiniyyahfromKhwajahAbuIshaq.Attheageof16 aftercompletinghispursuitofacademicknowledge,hebecamebayttoKhwajahAbuIshaq. Accordingtosomeaccountshewasinitiatedasamureedattheageof13. Oncewhilewithhisfatheronahuntingtrip,helostthewayinamountainrange.Hewasleftalone. Inspiteofhisefforts,hecouldnotfindtheroad.Aftertrudgingaconsiderabledistancehesuddenly sawKhwajahAbuIshaqsittingwith40Auliyastandinginhispresence.AbuAhmadfellatthefeet ofKhwajahAbuIshaqandremainedwithhim. AfterafewdaysitwasdiscoveredthatAbuAhmadiswithKhwajahAbuIshaqonacertain mountain.Thekingsentpeopletobringhimback.Althoughtheytriedtopersuadehimtoreturn home,herefused.Asaresultofthespiritualtransformationheunderwent,hechosetherigorousand austerelifeonthemountain.Afterextrememujaahadahforeightyears,heacquiredthemantleof khilaafate.Itissaidthatfor30yearsheneversleptonabed. ByagazeofHadhratAbuAhmad,amancouldbetransformedintoaperformerofkaraamat. Hisfatherwastheownerofaliquorstorewhichstockedvintagewines.DuringHadhratAbu Ahmadschildhoodheoncewentintothestore.Heclosedthedoorandbrokealltheliquorvats.His fatherwasinformedofthedestructionbeingwroughttohisexpensivewines.Sincehecouldnot enterthelockedpremises,heclimbedtheroofandfromthereshoutedfuriousthreatsinabidto preventthechildfromfurtherdestruction.ButAbuAhmadignoredthethreat.Hisfatherin desperationhurledalargestonewhichremainedsuspendedinmidair.Hisfatherwasamazed. Realisinghiserrorherepentedatthehandsofhischildandgaveuphisliquor.

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Oncehejourneyedthroughanareaoccupiedbyonlykuffaar.TherewasnoMuslimlivinginthe surroundings.ThisparticularcommunityofkuffaarwasextremelyhostiletoMuslims.IfaMuslim venturedintotheirsettlement,itwastheirpractisetotortureandsettheMuslimalight.Although theyassaultedHadhratAbuAhmad,theydidnothavethecouragetosethimalight.TheShaikhtold themnottoworryashe,himselfwouldfallintothefire.Afirehadalreadybeenprepared.Throwing hismusallaonthefire,heenteredit.AsHadhratentered,thefireinstantaneouslydiedout.The kuffaar,intheiramazement,begantoveneratehim.HundredsacceptedIslamonthisoccasion. ItwashisregularpracticetocompleteoneQuraanduringthedayandtwoduringthenight. Althoughhewasawareofspiritualmysteries,hewouldnotdivulgethese.Accordingtothe unanimousclaimoftheAuliyaofhistime,hewasaQutubandanAbdaal. Hewouldnotacceptgiftsandheabstainedfromdeliciousfoodandfinegarments. HisDemise Hisdeathwason3rdJamaadilUkhraa355Hijri.HisgraveisinChisht.AmonghisKhulafaaare KhwajahAbuMuhammadandKhwajahKhudaBandah.

KHWAAJAHMUHAMMAD(ORABU MUHAMMADBINABIAHMAD){rahmatullah alayh}

HistitlewasWaliyudDeenorNaasihudDeen.Hewasabornwali.Duringhismotherspregnancy, thesoundofThikrullahcouldbeheardfromherbody.HewasaSayyid,beingadescendentof HadhratHasan(radhiyallahuanhu).HewasborninMuharram331Hijri.Atthetimeofbirthhe recitedtheKalimahseventimes.Evenwhilebeingbreastfed,heengagedinThikrullah.Ininfancy hewouldraisehiseyesupwardstotheheavensatthefiveSalaattimesandrecitetheKalimahin abundance.WhenanonMuslimwouldcometowitnessthisphenomenon,hewouldacceptIslam. HisfatherhadgainedthemantleofkhilaafatefromKhwajahAbuAhmad. Attheageof7hebecamebaytanduntiltheageof12helivedaloneinaroom.Everydayhe fasted.Hepractisedmujaahadahexcessively. Onceattheriverbankwhilehewaspatchinghisshawl,thekingarrivedandgavehimabagfullof dinars(goldcoins)whichHadhratrefusedtoaccept.Whenthekinginsistedthatheacceptsthegift, Hadhratsaidthatacceptinggiftswasnotthewayofhisseniors,hencehetoowouldnotaccept. Whenthekingpersisted,HadhratMuhammadturnedhisgazetotheriverandimmediatelyshoalsof fishsurfaced,eachholdingadinarinitsmouth.Thefishswamtowardstheriverbankwhere Hadhratwas.HadhratShaikhsaid: Whenamanhasathisdisposalsuchavasttreasure,whatvaluewillheattachtoyourbag? KhwajahAbuMuhammadssistertoowasextremelypious.Shewasperpetuallyengrossedinthe remembranceofAllahTaala,henceshehadnoinclinationformarriage.OnceKhwajahAbu

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Muhammadsaidtoher: Sister,ithasbeendecreedthatasonwillbeborntoyou.ThissonwillbetheQutubulAqtaab. Thereforedogetmarried. Butbecauseofherengrossmentinthikrullah,sherefused.Afterafewdaysshesawinadreamher fathergivingherthesameinstruction.MuhammadSamanwithwhomhernikahwasdestinedalso sawasimilardream.EvenKhwajahAbuMuhammadsawthisdream.Finally,thenikahwas performedinthemorning.KhwajahAbuYusufwhoistheKhalifahofShaikhAbuMuhammadwas bornofthisunion. Attheageof70yearshewasdivinelyinspiredtojoinSultanMahmdGhaznawiintheJihaadagainst Somnath(inIndia).TakingafewMureedeenwith,hejoinedinthebattlefield. HisDemise HadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe4thRabiulAwwalorinthebeginningofRajabintheyear411 Hijriattheageof80.HisgraveisinChisht. KhwajahAbuYusuf,KhwajahMuhammadKakuandKhwajahUstadMarwanwerehiskhulafaa. WeshallnowdiscussKhwajahAbuYusuf.

KHWAAJAHSAYYIDABUYUSUFBIN SAMAANALHUSAINI ALCHISHTI(rahmatullahalayh)

ThroughthirteenancestrallinkshislineagereachesHadhratImaamHusain(radhiyallahuanhu).He wasborninChisht.NasirudDeenishistitle.Hismaternaluncle,KhwajahAbuMuhammadChishti conferredthemantleofKhilaafattohim. OnedayHadhratAbuYusufwaswalkingintheextremeheatwithagroupofhiscompanionswho wereovercomebythirst.Waterwasnotavailableanywhere.Hadhratstruckarockwithhisstaffand afountainbeganbubbling.Hadhratandhiscompanionsdrankofthiswater. HegrievedmuchbecausehewasnotaHafizoftheQuraan.Ononeoccasionwhenthegriefwas extremehesawhisShaikhinthespiritualrealm(AalameWaaqiah).HisShaikhinstructedhimto reciteSurahFaatihah100timesforeliminationofthegrief.Ashecompletedthe100threcitationof SurahFaatihah,miraculouslyhebecameaHafizoftheQuraan.Thereafter,hewoulddaily completetheQuraanseveraltimes. OncewhenHadhratShaikhwasonajourneyhecametoaplacecalledKangwhereadurwaishwas living.Hadhratwashisguest.Atnightthedurwaishsdaughterdreamtthatthefullmooncameinto herlap.InthemorningsherelatedherdreamtoherfatherwhowenttoHadhratShaikhforan interpretation.However,beforehecouldexplainthedream,HadhratShaikhAbuYusufinformedthe durwaishofthedreamandpresenteditsinterpretation.Thedurwaishperformedthenikahofhis piousdaughtertoHadhratShaikh.MaudoodChishtiwhosediscussionwillfollownext,wasbornof thisunion.

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Oncehebecameabitlaxinhisibaadat.Asapenanceforhavingcommittednegligenceinibaadathe abstainedfromdrinkingwaterfor20years. Hehadsetasideasmallenclosureinhishouseandfor12yearsheremainedthereininsolitude. OncehepassedbyaMusjidwhichwasunderconstruction.Aroofbeamwhichhadbeenpurchased wastooshort.Therewasnowayofsolvingtheproblem.WhenthiswasexplainedtoHadhrat Shaikh,hedismountedfromhishorseandclimbedontotheMusjidsroof.Hethentookholdofone sideofthebeam.Thepeoplewereamazedandbewilderedbecausethebeamwasnowfoundtobea metrelonger. HisDemise Accordingtothemajority,KhwajahSayyidAbuYusufdiedon3rdRajab459Hijri.However,some havesaidthathediedinthebeginningofJamaadilUkhraawhileothersagainsay,1stJamaadilUla. 4thRabiulAakhirhasalsobeenclaimed.HisgraveisinChisht.Hisagewas84years. Whenthetimeforhismautwasnear,heappointedhisson,KhwajahMaudoodashisrepresentative. KhwajahAbdullahAnsariisalsoamonghisKhulafaa.

KHWAAJAHMAUDOOD CHISHTI(rahmatullahalayh)
HistitlesareQutubulAqtabandQutbudDeen.HeisalsoknownbythetitlesShamaSufiyan(The CandleoftheSufis)andChiragheChishtiyan(TheLampoftheChishtis). Hewasbornintheyear430HijriandwasaHusainiSayyid.HisfatherwasKhwajahAbuYusuf fromwhomhehadreceivedthemantleofKhilaafate. Bytheageof7yearshewasaHafizoftheQuraanandat16hehadcompletedthecourseof UloomeZaahiriyyah.Itwasduringthistime(aftercompletionofhisacademiccareer)thathewrote thekitaabs,MinhajulAarifeenandKhulasatushShariat. Whenhewas29years,hisfatherdied.Hedischargedtherightofhisfathersofficecommendablyin guidingmankind.Sonumerouswerethepeoplewhoflockedtohimforspiritualandmoralguidance thathiskhulafaaalonenumberedtenthousandwhilehismureedeenwerecountless. HehadacquiredthemiracleofTayulArdh(i.e.totraversegreatdistancesinmoments).Whenhe wishedtoperformtawaaf,hewouldinmomentsbemiraculouslyinMakkahMukarramah. HeassociatedmuchwiththeFuqara,neverwearingbeautifulgarments.Thedegreeofhistawaadhu (humility)wasexceptionallyloftyinperfection.HewasalwaysthefirsttoinitiateSalaamandhe wouldstandinhonourofeveryperson. HehadalsoacquiredthecapabilitiesknownasKashfeQuloob(Revelationofthehearts)and KashfeQuboor(Revelationofthegraves).Onceaprincecametohimandrequestedforsome tabarruk(anyitemoftheShaikh).ShaikhMadoodrefused.Theprincebroughtalongafewsincere personstointercedeforhim.Thus,theShaikhpresentedtheprinceatopi.Butheadded:Guardit otherwiseyouwillregret.Onhisreturntheprincebecameengrossedinhisplayandamusement.
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WhentheShaikhdiscoveredthis,hesaid: What,didthetopinotperformitsfunction? Afterafewdays,theprincewasarrestedforsomecrimeandhiseyesweretakenout. ItisimpossibletoenumerateKhwajahMaudoodsKhulafaa.Forthesakeofbarkat,afeware mentionedhereunder. KhwajahAbuAhmad,KhwajahShareefZandani,ShahSanjan,ShaikhAbuNaseerShakeeban, ShaikhHasanTibti,ShaikhAhmadBaderoon,KhwajahSabzPaush,ShaikhUthmanAwwaland KhwajahAbulHasan.Amongthem,thelinkinthis(Chishti)SilsilahisKhwajahShareefZandani whowillsoonbediscussed. HisDemise ShaikhMaudoodpassedawayinthebeginningofRajab427Hijriattheageof97years.Hisfirst JanaazahSalaatwasperformedbyinvisible(ghaib)men.Thereafterthegeneralpublicperformed theJanaazahSalaat.AftertheJanaazahSalaat,theJanaazahofitsownaccord,movedinmidair. SeeingthismiraculouseventofKhwajahMaudood,numerouspeopleacceptedIslam. HisgraveisinChisht.

KHWAAJAHSHAREEFZANDANI(rahmatullah alayh)
HistitlewasNeerudDeen.Hewasbornintheyear492HijriinthetownofZandanah.Hereceived themantleofKhilaafatefromHadhratShaikhKhwajahMaudoodChishti. Hestayedinaforestfor40years,fleeingfrompeople.Hesubsistedontheleavesoftreesand whateverhecouldfindintheforest.Helovedpovertyandstarvation.Hewouldbreakfastonlyafter threedays.Whenheatefood,itwasonlysaltlessvegetables. OnceafaqeercameandinformedHadhratwithgreathumilitythathehadsevendaughters,butno meansofsupportwhatsoever.HesoughtHadhratsadviceregardingthemarriageofhisdaughters. Hadhratsaidthathewouldarrangesomeplanthefollowingday.Onthewayback,thefaqeermeta kaafirwhoinitiatedaconversation.ThefaqeermentionedhismeetingwithHadhratShaikhandwhat hadtranspired.ThekaafircommentedthatsincetheShaikhhimselfwasafaqeer,hewouldnotbe abletoarrangeanything.Thekaafiradded:Tellhimthatifheworksformeforsevenyears,Iwill givehimseventhousanddinars. TheFaqeerreportedthisoffertoHadhratShaikhShareefwhoandheaccepted.Hewentwiththe faqeertothekaafir.Heprevailedonthekaafirtogivetheseventhousanddinarstothefaqeerinlieu oftheservicewhichtheShaikhhadagreedon.Whenthekingheardofthisincident,heimmediately sentagiftofseventhousanddinarstoHadhratShaikh.But,theShaikhdistributedthekingsgift amongthefuqaraandsaidthathiscontractwiththekaafirstipulatedemployment,notmonetary compensation.Whenthekaafirsawthissteadfast,independentandhonourableattitudeofHadhrat, hewasastonishedandheimmediatelyreleasedhimfromthecontract.Hadhratmadethefollowing duaforthekaafir:

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Youhavesetmefreefromyourprison.MayAllahsetyoufreefromJahannum. Thisstatementexercisedaprofoundinfluenceontheheartofthekaafirwho,thereandthen, acceptedIslam.HestayedintheserviceofHadhratShaikhpursuingtheknowledgeofSulook. Onceafollowerpresentedagift.However,HadhratShaikhrefused,sayingthathehadnoneedofit. Pointingtowardstheforest(wheretheywereatthetime),Hadhratsaid:Thisforestisfullofit(i.e. goldwhichwaspresentedasagift). Whenthemanlooked,hesawastreamofgoldflowing. ItissaidthatwhoeverateanyfoodleftoverbyHadhrat,wouldbecomeaMajzb. Cryingwasdominantinhim.Hewouldoftenletoutascreamandcry,thenlapseinto unconsciousness.Oncewhensomeoneaskedhimtoexplainhisabundanceofcrying,hesaid: IamunabletocontainmyselfwhenIthinkoftheaayat:

Ihavenotcreatedjinnandman(foranypurpose)exceptthattheyworshipMe. WhileIhavebeencreatedforAllahsibaadat,Iamoccupiedwithothers. HisDemise Hisdemisewasoneitherthe3rdor10thRajab612Hijriattheageof120years.Accordingtosome, hisgraveisinQunooh.Otherssay,inZandanah.ItisalsosaidthatheisburiedinShaam.His wellknownKhalifahisUthmanHarniwhowillnowbediscussed.

KHWAAJAHUTHMAAN HAARUNI(rahmatullahalayh)
HistitlewasAbunNrorAbulMansr.HewasborninthetownHarnintheyear526Hijri.Hehad excelledintheknowledgeofbothShariatandTariqat.HewasaHafizoftheQuraan.Hewould reciteaQuraanaday.HelivedinHarnwhichisinthedistrictofNishapr.HeadoptedMujaahadah for70years,nevereatingtosatiationinallthistime.Hewoulddrinkamouthfulofwateronlyafter sevendays. Whenappointinghimakhalifah,hisShaikhplacedonhisheadatopioffoursectionsandsaid: Thissymbolizesfourrenunciations.Renunciationoftheworld,renunciationoftheAakhirahexcept AllahTaala,renunciationofsleepandrenunciationofnafsaanidesires. Hadhratspentthegreaterpartofhislifeintravelling.Oncehepassedthroughacityof fireworshippers.Ahugefirehadbeenlit.Hadhratsenthiskhaadimtobringsomefireforpreparing food,butthepeoplerefused,sayingthatthefireisforworship,henceitwasnotpermissible accordingtotheirreligiontogiveanyofthefire.

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HadhratwenttothemandexplainedthatthefireisnotworthyofworshippingandthatonlyAllah Taala,TheSoleCreatorshouldbeworshipped.Fireitselfisacreation.Hetoldthemthatby worshippingthefire,itwillburnthem(ontheDayofQiyaamah).But,iftheyrefrainedfrom worshippingit,thefirewillnotburnthemontheDayofQiyaamah.Theyretorted: Youdonotworshipthefire.Soenteritandprovethatitwillnotburnyou. HadhratmadewudhuandperformedtworakatsSalaat.Thentakingthechiefslittlechildwentinto thefire.Heremainedtwohoursinsidethefirewhichdidnotaffecteventhelittlechild.Thistypeof actioniscalledWilaayahIbrahimiwhichmeanstheexecutionoftheactasareflectionofHadhrat NabiIbrahims(alayhissalaam)Mujizah.Allthefireworshipperspresent,togetherwiththeirchief, acceptedIslam.ThechiefwasnamedAbdullahandhissonIbrahim.Theyjoinedthecompanyof HadhratShaikh. KhwajahMuinudDeensaysthatoncehewasonajourneywithHadhratUthmanHarni.Whenthey reachedariver,therewasnoboattotakethemacross.HadhratShaikhinstructedhimtoclosehis eyes.AfterafewmomentsKhwajahMuinudDeedwastoldtoopenhiseyes.Hesawthattheyhad alreadycrossedtheriverandwereontheotherside. AmancametoHadhratShaikhsayingthathissonhaddisappearedforalongtimeandwas untraceable.He,therefore,requestedHadhratfordua.Hadhratwentintomuraaqabah(meditation) forashortwhile,andsaid: Yoursonhasarrivedhome. Whenhereturnedhome,hewasastonishedtoseehisson.Immediately,hebroughthissonto HadhratShaikhtoexpresshisgratitude.Ittranspiredthatthesonhadbeenheldaprisoneronan island.Henarrated: AtthistimesuddenlyasaintlymanlookinglikeHadhratHarniappearedandtoldmetoputmyfeet onhisfeetandtoclosemyeyes.Afterafewmomentsheinstructedmetoopenmyeyes.WhenI openedmyeyes,Iwasathome. Inonedayandnight,HadhratHarnihaddeliveredHadhratKhwajahMuinudDeentothegoalof Sulook,i.e.heattained(DivineProximity).(ThehighdegreeofDivineProximitywhichisthegoal isknownasWusoolilallaah.) HadhratShaikhsaidthatamanwhohasinhimthesethreecharacteristicsmayregardhimselftobe Allahsfriend: 1)Generositylikethesea 2)Affectionlikethesun. 3)Humilityliketheground. AccordingtoKhwajahMuinudDeen,onceHadhratHarniwaspresentattheburialofaspiritual brother(i.e.mureedofthesameShaikh).Afterburial,thepeoplespreadoutwhileHadhratremained thereforsometime.ThestateoftheQabarsinmatewasrevealedtohim.TheAngelsofAthaab (Punishment)approachedtheinmateofthegravebecauseofacertaincrimehehadcommitted. KhwajahUthmanHarnisaidtotheAngelsthathe(theinmateofthegrave)isoneofhisassociates. Asaresultofhisintercessionthemayyitwassavedfrompunishment.

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HisDemise HadhratHarnidiedonthe5thShawwaal617Hijri.Thereareotherconflictingversionsoftheyear ofhisdemiseaswell.HeisburiedinMakkahMukarramah.Hehadfourfamouskhulafaa,viz. KhwajahMuinudDeenAjmeri,KhwajahNajmuddinSughra,ShaikhSriMangohiandKhwajah MuhammadTurk.InHindustanthefirstlinkoftheChishtiChainsisHadhratKhwajahMuinud Deenwhowillnowbediscussed.

KHWAAJAHMUINUDDEENCHISHTI AJMERI(rahmatullahalayh)
HisfathersnamewasGhiyathudDeenSanjari.Hewasbornintheyear537Hijriaccordingtothe consensusofthehistorians.HisbirthplaceisinthetownofSanjarwhichisintheIraniprovinceof Seetaan. HeistheImaamofTasawwufofHindustan.ThecommencementofUloomeMarifatinHindustan waswithKhwajahMuinudDeen.TheSilsilahoftheChishtiyyahspreadinHindustanwiththe adventofKhwajahMuinudDeen. ThereareelevenancestrallinksbetweenhimandHadhratImaamHusain(radhiyallahuanhu).His excellencesandvirtuesconstitutealimitlessocean.Hisgazewassufficienttotransformamanintoa SaahibeMarifat.HehadgainedperfectioninbothUloomeZaahiriyyahandBaatiniyyah.His fatherpassedawaywhenhewas15yearsold. Hehadinheritedanorchardfromhisfather.Hewouldoccupyhimselftothecareanddevelopment oftheorchard.Onedaywhileoccupiedintheorchard,aMajzbbythenameIbrahimQuhanzari approachedhim.HadhratMuinudDeenhonouredtheMajzbandpresentedsomefruittohim. IbrahimMajzb,afterchewingsomeofthefruit,gaveittoHadhratKhwajah.AsHadhratKhwajah atethefruit,aNrappearedintheorchard.Aprofoundtransformationtookplaceinhim.Hisheart turnedcompletelyawayfromtheworldandaspecialstrongyearningforAllahTaalaconsumed him. Hesoldtheorchardanddistributedtheproceedstothefuqarah.Hesetoffonajourney,reaching firstSamarqandwhereheengrossedhimselfinHifzoftheQuraanandtheacquisitionofacademic Shariknowledge.AfterthisaccomplishmenthetravelledtoIraq.HereachedthetownofHarnand becamebayttoHadhratUthmanHarni.ByvirtueofHadhratShaikhstawajjuhheattained perfectioninSulookinasingleday.Hestayed20yearsintheserviceofhisShaikh. HadhratHakimulUmmat,MaulanaShahAshrafAliwritesinhisMalfoothaat: IhavereadthestoriesoftheAuliyaofformertimes.Itisapparentthattheirconditionandstyle werenotlikethatofthemajorityofMashaikhoftoday.These(presentday)Mashaikhdonot considerobediencetotheShariaharequisiteforWusoolilallaah(AttainmentofDivineProximity). Infact,theybelieveShariatandTariqattobetwoseparateentities.Onthecontrary,thestateof Taqwa,tahaarahandittibaaeSunnat(obediencetotheSunnah)oftheformerMashaikhresembles thatoftheSahaabah.

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ItisnarratedthatonceHadhratKhwajahMuinudDeenChishti(rahmatullahalayh)whilemaking wudhuforgottomakekhilaalofhisfingers.AvoicefromtheGhaib(UnseenRealm)reprimanded: YouclaimlovefortheRasool,butabandontheSunnatoftheRasool! Heimmediatelyrepented.Wheneverhesawafire,hewouldshiverwithfearbecauseofthefeeling thatonthedayofQiyaamahhemaybepunishedforhavingomittedtheSunnat(ofKhilaal).Thus, theconditionofthoseMashaikhregardingobediencetotheSunnahwassimilartothestateofthe Sahaabah. HisShaikhleavinghiminchargeofhisWilaayatofHindustan(i.e.hisspiritualkingdom),wentfor Hajj. AfterreturningfromhisShaikh,hemetandderivedbenefitfromthefamousMashaikh,Shaikh NajmuddinKubraandHadhratGhauthulAzamMuhyudDeenAbdulQadirJilaniandothers. ThereafterhesettledinHindustan. HadhratShaikhskaraamaatarenumerousandbeyondthescopeofthisconcisetreatise.Onceduring histravelshewenttoHeraatwherelivedahostileShiahchief.Hishostilityandhatredweresomuch thathewouldputtodeathanypersonwhoadoptedthenameAbuBakr,UmarandUthman.Hadhrat ShaikhhadtopassbythisShiahsorchard.Hadhratwentandsatbythesideofthepond.TheShiah appearedinafuriousstateandcontemplatedtoseverelypunishHadhratShaikh.ButwhenHadhrat glancedathim,hefelldownunconscious.Afterashortwhile,HadhratShaikhsprinkledsomeofthe pondswateronhim.WhentheShiahcametohissenseshewasatransformedman.Hewasnowa staunchfollower.AlongwithhisassociateshebecamebayttoHadhrat.Hadhratalsoconferredthe mantleofkhilaafatetohim.Hadhratrefusedtoacceptalargesumwhichthechiefpresentedasa gift,commenting: Thiswealthdoesnotbelongtoyou.Youhavenorightinit. Alongthisjourneymanyotherkaraamatweredemonstrated.HewouldmeetalltheMashaikhof differentplacesalongtheroute.Finally,onthe10thMuharram561HijrihereachedAjmer.Thefirst personwhobecamehismureedinAjmerwasMirSayyidHusainwhooriginallywasaShiah.He abandonedShiism,becamebayttoHadhratMuinudDeenandattainedloftyspiritual accomplishments.Thereafter,thousandsofpeopleenteredtheSilsilah. HehadinfactcometoHindustanontheinstructionofRasulullah(.)Itisobvious thathechoseAjmeronthisinstruction.Thestorypertainingtothisepisodeisfamousandlengthy.It shall,however,benarratedhereinbrief. WhenHadhratMuinudDeenarrived,hesatdownsomewhereontheoutskirtsofAjmer.Theroyal camelherdinformedhimthatthiswasthesanctuaryofthekingscamels,henceheshouldleave. HadhratleftandsatdownbyalakenamedRanasagar.Meanwhilethekingscamelssatdownand couldnotgetup.Thecamelherdinformedtheking,RajaParthurajofthisincident.Thekingsaid thattherewasnooptionotherthantogotothedervish,fallathisfeetandapologise.Theking himselfsufferedmanysetbacks.EverymagicianhecalledtocombatHadhratShaikh,notonly failed,butbecameHadhratsmureed. Hadhratslaughteredacowneartothepond,Ranasagar.Thekuffaarattackedhim,butfailed miserablyintheirattempttoharmhim.Thepeoplethenwenttotheirholymantosolicithisaid.He resortedseveraltimestomagic,butfailedmiserablyagainstHadhratShaikh.Seeingthis,theHindu

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holymanalsoembracedIslam.Finally,havingbeenrenderedimpotent,thekinggaveuphis opposition.HadhratShaikhthencametoliveamongthepeople. ForseventyyearsHadhratneversleptatnight.Itisimpossibletoenumeratehisexcellences.The besttestimonyofhisexcellenceisthathisShaikhwasproudofhavinginitiatedhimasamureed. HadhratKhwajahQutbudDeennarrates: IlivedinHadhratsservicefor20years.Hadhratneverrefusedanyone.Wheneversomeonecame toaskanything,Hadhratwouldputhishandunderhismusallaandhandtothepersonwhateverhad beendecreedforhim. In20yearsIneversawHadhratbecomingangry. HadhratMuinudDeensaid: ThesignofAllahsmarifatistofleefrompeople. TheibaadatoftheAhleMarifatisPaasAnfaas(Thikrbyabreathingexercise)andthesignofan unfortunatemanisthatinspiteofinvolvementindisobedience,hebelieveshimselftobemaqbool (anacceptedfriendofAllahTaala). FortwentyyearswhileintheserviceofHadhratShaikh(KhwajahHarni)Ineverallowedmynafs anyrespite.Ididnotdistinguishbetweennightandday.WhenHadhratShaikhpaidattentiontomy service,heconferredlimitlessfavoursonme.Iamunabletoexplaintheabundanceoffavours. Whateverisacquiredisbywayofkhidmat(servicetotheShaikh). Whensomeoneasked: Whendoesthemureedbecomesteadfast?,HadhratMuinudDeenresponded: WhentheAngelhasnotrecordedanysinofthemureedfortwentyyears. HisDemise HepassedawayduringthereignofSultanushShams.Accordingtothemajorityofhistorianshis dateofdemiseisSunday6thRajab.Someclaimthatitis30thThilHajj.Thereisconsiderable conflictregardingtheyearinwhichhepassedaway.632,633,636and637Hijriarecontended. Thereisconflictregardinghisageaswell.Somesaythathisagewas96years.Otherversionsare 104and107.HisgraveisinAjmer.HisKhulafaaareinnumerable.Thereare13or14famousones. Thesenamesappearinothervoluminousbooks.

HADHRATSHAIKHQUTBUDDEEN BAKHTIYAARKAAKI(rahmatullahalayh)
HadhratShaikhisamongtheAkaabirAuliya.HewasMustajaabudDawaat(i.e.onewhoseduasare readilyaccepted).HislineagelinksupwithHadhratImaamJafarSadiq(rahmatullahalayh).Hewas borninthetownofAushintheyear582Hijri.ThistownissituatedinTajikstan.Hewasborn duringthemiddleofthenight.However,onaccountofanabundanceofanwaar(celestiallight) accompanyinghisbirth,peoplethoughtdayhadcommenced. Whenhewasoneandahalfyearsold,hisfatherSayyidKamaluddinAhmadBinSayyidMsapassed
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away.Whenhewasfiveyears,hismothersenthimwithaneighbourtoaMuallim(Deeniteacher). Alongthewaytheymetabuzrugwhoasked:Whereareyoutakingthislad?Whenhewastold thattheboywasbeingtakentothemaktab,hesaid: Leavehimwithme.IshallentrusthimtoaMuallim. TheneighbourleftthechildwiththebuzrugwhotookhimtoKhwajahAbuHafsAushi.Thebuzrug saidtoKhwajahAbuHafs: ItisthecommandofAhkamulHaakimeenthatyouteachthisladwithgreatcare. Thebuzrugthenleft.HadhratUstadputtingahandofaffectionontheladsheadsaid: Youaremostfortunate.HadhratKhidhr(alayhissalaam)hasentrustedyoutome. ItissaidthatwhenKhwajahQutbudDeenreachedAushhewas4yearsand4monthsold.Hewas broughttoHadhratShaikhforDeeniTaleem.AsHadhrattooktheslatetowritesomething,hewas informedbyavoicethattheacademicknowledgeofKhwajahQutbudDeenhasbeenentrustedto QadhiHamidudDeenNagori.HadhratShaikhthereforeputdowntheslate.Hethencompletedthe QuraanMajeedunderQadhiHamidudDeen. ThisepisodeisbrieflyreferredtoinTalimuddin.Itiswrittenthatavoiceofanunseenbeing (Haatif)instructedQadhiHamidudDeentoclosehiseyes.Withinmomentshereachedtheplace wheretheboyQutbudDeenwas.Takingtheslatehesaid: OQutbudDeen!WhatshouldIwrite? Thefouryearoldboysaid: Write... QadhiSahibinastonishmentaskedhimabouthisknowledgeoftheQuraan.Theboyreplied:I havememorised15Parasbymymother. Withinfourdayshelearnttheother15ParasunderQadhiHamidudDeen.Furthermore,he accomplishedtheacquisitionofhisacademicknowledgeinaveryshortperiodoftime. Asheapproachedbuloogh(maturity),hedevelopedanintensedesireforUloomeBaatiniyyah.He thereforeenteredintothecompanyofKhwajahMuinudDeen.Onthe5thRajabhetookbaytin MusjidAbulLaith.Attheageof17,themantleofkhilaafatewasconferredtohim.Heisthevery firstkhalifahofHadhratKhwajahMuinudDeen.OntheinstructionofhisShaikh,hetookup residenceinDelhi. WhenHadhratQutbudDeenBakhtiyarKakitookupresidenceinDelhihewouldnotacceptanygift fromanyone.Heremainedmustaghraq(completelyabsorbedindivinecontemplationwhichmade himobliviousofhissurroundings).Duringthesedayshehadnoservanttotendtotheneedsofthe house.SharfudDeen,aMuslimshopownerwashisneighbour.SometimesSharfudDeenswife visitedHadhratShaikhswife. Attimestherewasabsolutelynothingtoeatinthehouse.Ononesuchoccasion,Hadhratswife acquiredaverysmallloanfromtheneighbourswifejustsufficientforsomefood.Onedaythis
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womansaidtoHadhratswife: IfIhadnotgivenyoutheloan,youwouldhavestarvedtodeath. ThisstatementhurtHadhratswifewhoresolvedneveragaintoaskforaloan. SometimethereaftersheinformedHadhratShaikhofthisincident.Afterabriefpause,Hadhratsaid: Youshouldnotborrowanythingfromthiswoman. Pointingtoashelf,HadhratShaikhsaid: Wheninneed,reciteBismillahandtakecakefromitanddistributeittowhomeveryouwish. Thereafter,shewouldalwaysdosotakingfromtheshelfanddistributingit.Wheneversheplaced herhandontheshelf,cakewouldbepresentmiraculously. Itisforthisreasonthathistitle,Kakibecamesofamous. InAalameArwah,Rasulullah()saidtoKhwajahMuinudDeenthatQutbudDeenis Allahsfriendandthemantleofkhilaafateshouldbeconferredtohim.Thespiritualkingdom (wilaayat)ofDelhiwasalsoassignedtoHadhratQutbudDeenbythecommandofAllahTaala. OnceduringhisstayinDelhihewenttoAjmer(tostayathisShaikhskhaanqah).Thepeopleof Delhiweregrievedconsiderablybythisseparation.AfterappealingtoHadhratMuinudDeen,he wassentback. Besidehisothermamulaat(actsofibaadat),hewouldeverynightrecite3000timesDurood Shareef.Whenhemarried,hewasunabletokeepupthismamool(ofDurood)forabouttwoor threenights.Hisservant,AneesAhmad,sawinadreamabeautifulpalace.Ahugegatheringwas outsidethepalace,butnoonewasentering.However,therewasabuzrugofshortphysicalstature whowasgoinginandout.IttranspiredthatRasulullah()wasinsidethepalace.This buzrugwasHadhratAbdullahBinMasd(radhiyallahuanhu).Hewouldcarrythemessagesofthe outsidersintothepalace.AneesAhmad(theservant)expressedadesireforziyaarat,hencehesought permissiontoenter.Fromthepalaceitwassaid: Youarenotyetworthyofziyaarat.HoweverconveySalaamstoQutbudDeenandinformhimthat forthreedayshisgifthadnotarrived. AnothermamoolofHadhratwas100rakatsNaflSalaatdaily.Hewasgenerallyinthestateof Istighraaq(absorbedindivinelove).Whensomeonecametovisithim,hewouldonlybecomeaware ofthepersonspresenceaftersometime.Hehadperformedmanykaraamaat. HisDemise Oncewhenheheardamanrecitingthefollowingcouplet ***************** helapsedintothestateofSukrforfourdaysandonthefifthdayhedied.

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TRANSLATION: ThoseslainbythedaggerofRidhaandtasleemaregrantedanewlifeeverytime. (RidhaistobepleasedandhappywiththedecreesofAllahTaala.Tasleemiscompletesubmission tothepleasureofAllahTaala.) KhwajahShamsudDeenAltamush,theSultanofDelhigavetheghusl.Thereafter,Hadhrats khalifah,KhwajahAbuSaeedTabrezireadoutHadhratswasiyyat.Inhiswasiyyatwaswritten: MyJanaazahSalaatshouldbeperformedbythepersonwhonevercommittedaharaamact(witha female),whonevermissedtheSunnatrakatsofAsrandwhonevermissedTakbeerelaofJamaat Salaat. Hearingtheseconditions,asilencefellonthecrowd.Aftersometime,theSultansteppedforward andsaid: Idesiredmyconditiontoremainconcealed,butHadhratShaikhhasexposedit. HadhratAqdasThanwihasnarratedthisepisodeinthefollowingway: HadhratShaikhhadmadeawasiyyatstatingthathisJanaazahSalaatshouldbeperformedbyaman whonevercastagazeonaghairmahraminhisentirelife.Greatpeople(Ulama,Mashaikh,etc.) werepresent,butallwerebewildered.Wherecansuchapersonbefound?Finally,whenthepeople losthope,SultanAltamushwasconstrainedtorevealhimself.Hesaid:IfHadhrathadnot instructed,Iwouldneverhaveexposedmyself.However,sincetheShaikh,himselfhasrevealedthis secret,IhavetosaythatAllahTaalahasbestowedthisnimattome.Hethenconductedthe ShaikhsJanaazahSalaat.(AlQoululJaleel) HadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe14thor24thRabiulAwwalintheyear633or634Hijriona Saturday.HisgraveisinthetownofMahroli. Hehadmanykhulafaa.Thenamesof22appearinbooks.HowevertheSilsilahcontinuedwithonly three,namely,KhwajahFaridudDeenShakarGanj,ShaikhBadrudDeenGhaznawiandShahKhidr Qalandarawi.KhwajahShamsudDeenAltamush,theSultanofDelhiwasalsoamonghisfamous Khulafaa.

SHAIKHFARIDUDDEENSHAKAR GANJ(rahmatullahalayh)
HisfatherwasShaikhJamaludDeen,thematernalcousinofSultanMahmdGhaznawi.Hisnameis Masdandtitle,FaridudDeen.HewasthedescendentofAmirulMumineen,HadhratUmarBin Khattaab(radhiyallahuanhu). Hewasbornin584or585or569HijriinKohtwaalwhichisinthedistrictofMultaan.His grandfather,QadhiShuaibmigratedfromhishomeland,KabulduringtheeraofHalaku,the Mongol,andwenttoLahore.QadhiMansrofLahore,whohadacquiredhisknowledgeinKabul, informedthekinginDelhiofthearrivalofQadhiShuaib.Thekingofferedhimapost.However,he

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declinedandwenttoMultaan.ThekinginstructedthegovernoroftheMultaanprovincetoarrangea fief(land)forQadhiShuaib.ThiswasarrangedinKohtwaalwherehefinallysettled. ShaikhFaridudDeenacquiredpartofhisacademicknowledgeintheMusjidofQadhiMinhajud Deen.ItwasherethathebecamebayttoKhwajahQutbudDeen.Hecompletedhisacademiccareer inKabul. HadhratShaikhNizamudDeensaysthatoncewhileHadhratShaikhFaridudDeensmotherwas performingSalaat,athiefentered.Whenhegazedather,heimmediatelybecameblind.Thethief criedout: Icamewiththeintentionofstealingandhavebecameblind.Ipledgenevertostealagain. AtthistimeHadhratsagewasapproximately6years.Hemadeduaandthemanssightwas restored.InthemorninghecamewithhisentirefamilyandacceptedIslam.Hewasnamed Abdullah.HeremainedinHadhratsservicetotheend. ThereareseveralviewsforhimbeingknownbyhisfamoustitleofShakarGanj.Whenhedecided onmujaahadah,hisShaikhadvisedhunger.Hethereforebeganfasting.Afterthreedaysamancame andpresentedsomebread.Thinkingthistobebydivinedirection,heacceptedandatethebread. Withinafewmomentshebecamenauseousandvomitedoutwhateverhehadeaten.Hereportedthis incidenttohisShaikhwhosaid: Afterthreedaysyouatethefoodofadrunkard.ShukruntoAllahthatthefooddidnotremainin yourstomach.NowremainhungryforanotherthreedaysandtheneatwhatcomesfromtheGhaib. Afterthreedaysnothingcame.Hewasovercomebyweakness.Onaccountoftheextremehungerhe putsomepebblesintohismouth.Thepebblesturnedintosugar.Fearingthatthismaybesome deception,hespatitout.Ashortwhilelater,theextremehungeragainconstrainedhimtoput pebblesintohismouth.Thesetoobecamesugarwhichheagainspatout.Thishappenedagainfora thirdtime.InthemorninghereportedtohisShaikhwhosaid: Itwouldhavebeengoodifyouhadateit. SincethatdayhewascalledShakarGanj. Accordingtoanotherversion,ontheseventhdayofhungerhecametotteringtohisShaikh.Sandon hismouthhadbecomesugar. Anotherexplanationisthatwhenheonceaskedatraderforsomesugar,thetraderfalselysaidthat hehadonlysalt.Hadhratsaid: Itmustbesalt. Whenthetraderlooked,thesugarhadbecomesalt.Thetraderapologisedandthesaltagainbecame sugar. HadhratFaridudDeenresortedtoextrememethodsofmujaahadahinitially. HadhratSultanulMashaikhsaid: AhaircameoutfromHadhratShaikhsbeard.Irequestedpermissiontousethehairinataweez.
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Hegrantedmepermission.Iwrappeditinacloth.Whensomeonebecameill,Iwouldgivehimthe taweez.WhenthesickpersonwascuredIretrievedthetaweez.Iobservedmanybenefitsofthis taweez.Oncewhenafriendbecameillheaskedforthetaweez.AlthoughIsearchedmuch,Icould notfindit.Thefrienddied.OnanotheroccasionwhenIsearchedforitinordertogiveittoanother person,IfounditonthesameshelfwhereIhadleftit.Ithenrealisedthatsincethemautofthe friendhadbeenordainedforthattime,Icouldnotlocatethetaweez. HadhratFaridudDeensspiritualgrandfather(hisShaikhsShaikh),HadhratMuinudDeenspokein glowingpraiseofhim.Oncehesaid: QutbudDeenhasimprisonedagreatroyalfalcon. Onanotheroccasionhesaid: Thisisacandlewhichwillbrightenthehomesofdervishes.HewillbetheGhauthandQutubofhis time. WhenHadhratKhwajahQutbudDeenwasonhisdeathbed,hecalledHadhratFaridudDeenand appointedhimhisrepresentativeofhisspiritualkingdom. Hungerwasadominantfeatureinhislife.Manyatimeevenhiswifeandchildrenhadtoexperience hunger. Hisfamousstatementis: WhenyoudontheMantle,knowthatyouhavedonnedtheKafan. OnceHadhratKhwajahMuinudDeenwastheguestofHadhratKhwajahQutbudDeen.Thebedsof bothhostandguestwereinthesameroom.KhwajahFaridudDeen,accordingtohisnormalroutine, wentatnightintotheroomtopressthefeetofhisShaikh,KhwajahQutbudDeen,whosignalledto himtopressthefeetofHadhratKhwajahMuinudDeen.Afterpressinghisfeetforafewminutes, KhwajahFaridudDeencametohisownShaikhandsaid: Myheartishere.WhereelsecanIgo? KhwajahMuinudDeencommented: QutbudDeen,atleastgivehimsomething. (Thiswasareferencetothespiritualtreasures.) HisDemise HadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe5thofMuharramintheyear664or668HijrionaMonday. Anotherversiongivestheyear660.HisgraveisinPaakpataninthedistrictofMultaan.Thisplaceis betweenLahoreandMultaan.Hehasinnumerablekhulafaa.Thenumberissaidtobeashighas seventythousand.InJawahirulFarid,thenamesof584ofhiskhulafaaareenumerated.Themost famousamongthemisHadhratShaikhulMashaikhKhwajahAlaudDeenAliAhmadSabirKalyari whosediscussionwillnowfollow.

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KHWAAJAHALAAUDDEENALIAHMAD SAABIRKALYARI(rahmatullahalayh)
Hewasthenephew(sistersson)andamongtheseniorkhulafaaofHadhratShaikhFaridudDeen ShakarGanj.HewasbornatKohtwaalinthedistrictofMultaanintheyear592Hijri.Heisa descendantofHadhratImaamHasan(radhiyallahuanhu).Hisancestralchainisasfollows:Khwajah AlaudDeenthesonofShahIbrahimAbdurRaheemAbdusSalam,thesonofShahSaifudDeen AbdulWahhab,thesonofHadhratGhauthShaikhAbdulQadirJilani. Heservedinthegeneralmess(langarkhaanah)ofKhwajahFaridfor12years.Inallthistimehe neverateofthefoodbecauseofthelackofexpresspermission.Hewouldalwaysbefasting.Finally whenHadhratFaridenquiredfromhiminthisregard,hesaid: WhatrightdoesthisslavehavetopartakeofanythingwithoutthepermissionofHadhrat? Onhearingthisreply,HadhratgavehimthetitleofSabir(ThePatientone). AkhaadimtakingthepermissionofHadhratFaridudDeen,wenttovisitHadhratAlaudDeenAli AhmadSabir.SinceHadhratAlaudDeenwasgenerallyinanoverwhelmingstateofIstighraaq,he wasunawareofthosewhocameandwent.HadhratShamsudDeenTurkwhoremainedin attendance,loudlymadeHadhratawareofthearrivalofthekhaadim,saying: ThekhaadimofHadhratPeeroMurshidhascomebringingHadhratsSalaam. HadhratAlaudDeenresponded: HowismyShaikh? ThereafterheinstructedonHadhratShamsudDeentohonourthekhaadim.Hethenagainlapsedinto thestateofIstighraaq. Thereafter,thekhaadimvisitedHadhratSultanulAuliya.Herehesawaroyalsystemprevailing.The khaadimwashonouredgreatlyandshoweredwithconsiderablehospitalityandgifts.Whenthe khaadimreturned,HadhratFaridudDeenaskedabouttheconditionofhistwokhulafaa.The khaadimspokeinglowingpraiseofSultaanulAuliya.RegardingHadhratAlaudDeenthekhaadim said: Hedoesnotevenspeakwithanyone.Thereisnothingbyhim. HadhratFaridudDeenasked: Didhesayanythingaboutme? Thekhaadimsaid:Hesaidnothing. WhenHadhratFaridudDeenasked:Afterall,hemusthavesaidsomething.,thekhaadim responded:Heonlyasked:HowismyShaikh?Withtearsinhiseyes,Hadhratsaid: Todayheoccupiessuchaloftyrankwhichnoonecanaspire.Itisonlywithinhiscapabilitytohave

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rememberedmeineventhatstate.This(remembranceinsuchaloftystateofIstighraaq)isbecause oftheperfectionofhisloveforme. ItisawellknownfactthatafterHadhratSabirsdemise,someHindushadassertedtheircontrolin Kaliyar,hencetheyconvertedtheqabrustaanintoacentreofidolatry.Astheycontinuedwiththeir evilsacrilege,alionappearedandkilledmanyamongthem.Theothersallfled. Theattributeofjalaal(splendour,grandeur)wasdominantinhim.Evenafterhisdemise,aflame couldbeseenglitteringonhisgrave.Onaccountofthiscelestialflamenoonehadthecouragetogo tohisgrave.OnceafterHadhratShahAbdulQuddsvisitedthegrave,theflamedisappearedbecause ofHadhratsrequest. HisDemise KhwajahAlaudDeenpassedawayonthe13thRabiulAwwal690Hijri.HisgraveisinPiraan Kaliyar,neartoRoorkiinthedistrictofSahaaranpr.

SHAIKHSHAMSUDDEENTURK PAANIPATI(rahmatullahalayh)
HewasoftheSayyidsofTurkestan.Afterhavingcompletedhisacademiccareer,hesetoutinthe questforUloomeBaatiniyyahandtravelledtothecitiesofCentralAsia.Buthecouldnotfind solacethere.Finally,hewenttoHindustaninthissamequestandbecamebayttoHadhratAlaud DeeninKaliyar.WhenthetimeofHadhratsdemisedrewnear,heconferredthemantleofkhilaafate toShaikhShamsudDeen.HadhratAlaudDeenwroteouttheauthorisationandappointmentwithhis ownblessedhand.HealsorevealedtohimtheIsmAzamandinstructed: TheWilaayat(spiritualkingdom)ofPaanipathasbeenallocatedtoyou.Aftermydeathproceedto Paanipatandtakeupresidencethere.Dontstaymorethanthreedayshere(i.e.inKaliyar). ShaikhShamsudDeenisamongtheveryseniorkhulafaaofHadhratAlaudDeenSabir.Accordingto theauthorofSiyarulAqtaab,besidesbeingthekhalifahofHadhratSabir,heisalsothekhalifahof hisspiritualgrandfather,HadhratKhwajahFaridudDeenShakarGanj. Towhatextentcananyonerecordthekaraamaatoftheseillustrioussouls?Indeed,everyactwasa miracle.Nevertheless,bywayofasample,oneortwowillbementioned. Oncehehadtakenemploymentinthekingsarmy.Duringtheseverelycoldwinterseason,the sectionofthepondswaterwherehewouldmakewudhu,wouldmiraculouslybecomewarm.The servantinchargeofthekingswaterdiscoveredthisstrangephenomenon.Thekingwasthusmade aware.HethereforebecameanardentdevoteeofHadhratShamsudDeen. Aconsiderabletimehadpassedintheattempttocaptureafortress.ThekingappealedtoHadhratto makeduaforvictory.Aftermuchpersistenceandbeggingbytheking,Hadhratsimplypromisedto makedua.Headded: Attackandthedoorsofthefortwillopen. ThekingledtheattackandthedoorsofthefortopenedasHadhrathadsaid.Thisepisodeincreased
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thekingsfaithinHadhrat.But,sincehisconditionhadnowbecomerevealed,Hadhratdidnot desirestayingthere.Hethereforeleft. HisDemise Accordingtothemajority,HadhratShaikhpassedawayintheyear715Hijri.Somesay716and718 Hijri.Therearealsoconflictingversionsregardingthedateofhisdemise.Accordingtooneversion thedateofhisdemisewas19thShabaan.Othersclaim10thJamaadilUlaaorJamaadilAakhir.

SHAIKHJALAALUDDEENKABIRUL AULIYAA(rahmatullahalayh)
HisnamewasMuhammadBinMahmdorKhwajahMahmd.HisShaikhconferredonhimthetitle, JalaudDeen.HewasadescendentofAmirulMumineen,HadhratUthmanBinAffan(radhiyallahu anhu).Apparentlyhewasbornintheyear695Hijri. Mujaahaadatwasdominantinhim.Duringthelaterpartofhislifehewasoverwhelmedbythestate ofIstighraaq.Hiskhuddaam(thosemureedsinhisservice)wouldmakehimawareofthetimefor Salaat.AfterSalaathewouldonceagainlapseintoIstighraaq. Hehadfortykhulafaa.FromeachoneaseparateSilsilahoriginated.HadhratShaikhBharaamwhose graveisinBadoliisalsoHadhratJalaludDeenskhalifah.Hadhrathadinitiallyappointedhimtobe inthetownBarnaawah.However,Hadhratsmostseniorkhalifah,ShaikhAhmadAbdulHaq transferredhimtoBadolionaccountofcommencement(INSERT) ShaikhShahabudDeenJhanjhanwiandPeerSamaudDeenHairanwiwerealsoamonghiskhulafaa. InSirayulAqtaabitiswrittenthatonceHadhratShaikhwaswalkingalongtheriverbankwherea Hinduyogiwassittingwithclosedeyesinmeditation.SoonheopenedhiseyesandsaidtoHadhrat: Congratulations!Youhadcomeatamostauspicioustime.Ihaveanelixir*byme.Itookavow thatIshallgiveittothefirstpersonIseeafteropeningmyeyes.Now,coincidentally,Ihavefound you. BrimmingwithelationandpridehehandedthestonetoHadhratwhotookitandthrewitintothe river.Theyogiwasenraged.StoppingHadhrathesaidinangerandconsternation: Whathaveyoudone?Isthistheappreciationyoushowforsuchavaluableandunattainablejewel? Givebackmystone. Hadhratresponded:Youhadalreadygivenittome.IhadtherighttodowithitasIdeemedfit. Buttheyogiwasunabletorestrainhimself.Hedemandedthereturnofthestone.Hadhratsaid: Diveintotheriverandretrieveyourstone.But,remembertotakeonlyyourstone. Whentheyogidivedintothewaterhefoundontheriverbednumerousstonesmorepreciousthan theonehehadpossessed.Inadditiontohisstone,hetookanotheronealso.Hadhratexclaimed: Youhaveviolatedyourpledge.

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InamazementtheyogiultimatelycametoHadhratandputdownbothstones.Hethenaccepted Islam. HisDemise HadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe13thRabiulAwwalorThilQadhintheyear765Hijriattheage of70.HisgraveisinPaanipat. Hehadfivesons,viz.KhwajahAbdulQadir,KhwajahIbrahim,KhwajahShibli,Khwajah KareemudDeenandKhwajahAbdulAhad. AlthoughmanyofhisspiritualSilsilahflourishedthroughthemediaofhiskhulafaa,thenumberof SilsilahemanatingfromShaikhAbdulHaqRadoliexceededthoseofallothers.Thecontinuationof thisChishtiSilsilah(i.e.theoneunderdiscussioninthisbook)isalsofromShaikhAbdulHaq Radoli.Weshallnowdiscusshim.

SHAIKHAHMADABDULHAQ RADOLI(rahmatullahalayh)
HisancestralchainlinksupwithAmirulMumineenHadhratUmarBinKhattab.Hisactualnameis AhmadandhistitleisAbdulHaq.HewasborninRadoli.Hispaternalgrandfather,ShaikhDawood whoisrelatedtoShaikhNasirudDeenChiraghDelhawimigratedfromBalkhduringthereignofthe Mongol,HalakuKhan.HereachedHindustanduringthereignofAlaudDeenKhalji. FromaveryearlyageHadhratShaikhAhmadwasinthepractiseofmujaahadaatandriyaadhaat.He beganperformingTahajjudfromtheageof7years. FirstheturnedhisattentiontotheacquisitionofUloomeZaahiriyyah,henceheproceededtoDelhi. Duringhisstudentdaysaninterestingepisodehappened.HadhratThanwi(nawwarallahu marqadahu)narrateditasfollows: TheelderbrotherofShaikhAhmadAbdulHaqRadoli,livedinDelhi.TheprinceinDelhiwashis ardentfollower.ShaikhAhmadquestionedhisbrotherregardinganexampleappearinginthe primaryArabicgrammarbookwhichhehadjuststarted.Theexampleis: ZaidhitAmr. HewantedtoknowwhyZaidhadhitAmr.Hisbrothertoldhimthatitwasonlyanexampleandno onehadhitanyone.Thereuponhesaid: Ifhehadhitsomeonewithoutvalidcause,itisinjustice.Ifhedidnothit,thenitisalie.Idonot wanttostudyabookwhichteachesinjusticeandfalsehoodfromtheveryinception. Thiswashisattitudeduringhischildhood.Hisbrotherrelatedthisincidenttotheprincewhosaid thathe(ShaikhRadoli)isapersonofecstasy(SaahibulHaal)andtheyshouldnotbothertoteach himUloomeZaahiriyyah. However,UloomeBaatiniyyahattractedhiminfullforce.Evenbeforecompletinghisacademic careerheadoptedsolitude,wanderingintheforest.Aftersometimedivineinspirationguidedhimto

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Paanipat.HisarrivalwasrevealedtoHadhratShaikhJalaludDeen.TheShaikhwantedtoputhimto test.Hethereforeinstructedhiskhuddaamtoprepareasumptuousfeastforthatday.Different varietiesoffoodweresetout.Fruits,etc.andevensomeforbiddenitemswerespreadoutonthe eatingcloth.Afewbeautifulhorseswithgoldenreinsweretiedoutsidethekhaanqah. Finally,HadhratRadoliarrived.Seeingtheeffectsoftheworldatthedoor,hebecamedisillusioned. Whenhesawthestateofthefoodarrangement,hecouldnolongertolerateit.Whenhesawthe forbiddenitemshewasunabletoremain.Hethenleft.Thisshowwasenactedpurelyasatest.He wanderedaroundthewholeday.Intheeveninghearrivedontheoutskirtsofacity.Onenquiring,he wastoldthatitisthecityofPaanipat.Hewastrulybewildered.Hecouldnotunderstandhowhehad forgottentheroad.However,sincetherewasnootherlogicalpossibility,heconcludedthathehad takenawrongrouteandhadarrivedagainatPaanipatfromwherehehadleftindismay.However, thesamebewilderingoccurrencewasrepeatedforanothertwodays.Alldaylonghewouldwalk onlytofindhimselfbackinPaanipatintheevening.Hewaslostanddismayed.Suddenlyhesawa mandressedinwhite.Whenheenquiredabouttheroad,themanreplied: YouhavelefttherightroadbyShaikhJalaludDeen. Hisbewildermentwasfurthercompounded. Hecarriedonwalkinguntilhemettwopeoplefromwhomhealsoenquiredaboutthedirection. Bothgavethesamereplywhichthemaninwhitegarbhadgiven.Hethusunderstoodtherealityof thesituation.WithafirmresolutionhewenttothekhaanqahandfellatthefeetofHadhratShaikh. Hebecamebaytandafteronlyafewdaysofspiritualstriving,hegainedthemantleofKhilaafate. Hehadmuchsimplicityandgullibilityinhim.Hisbrothershadmademarriagearrangementsfor him,butherefusedsayingthattheyshouldfreehimfromthisburden.Whenhisbrothersrefusedto heedhisobjections,hewentonedaytohisfutureinlaws.Standingatthedoorhesaid: Iamimpotent.Yourdaughterslifewillberuined. Bythistactictheproposedmarriagewascancelled. However,aftersometimehedidmarryandhadchildren.But,allofthemdied.Everychildwhich wasbornwoulddieafterproclaimingHaq,Haq,Haq(thrice).Oncehiswifebrokedowncrying becauseeverychilddied.Hesaid: Nowwhenachildisborn,itwillremainalive. Whenthenextchildwasborn,itdidnotsayHaq,Haq,Haq,butremainedalive. OnceHadhrathadpreparedabigpotoffoodandhaditputintheroad,saying: InshaAllah,peoplepassingintheroadwilleatthefoodanditwillnotdecrease. Forthreedayswayfarersateofthefoodwithoutitdecreasing.Thenathoughtcameintohismind: Thiswillbringfame.Famecanbringaboutspiritualharm.Hethenresolved: AllahisTheRaziq.HeisawareofHiscreation. Whenhewasconvincedofthecorrectnessofthisthought,hestruckthepotonthegroundbreaking
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it. HadhratShaikhulMashaikh,ShahAbdulQuddsGangohiwroteinhisbook,AnwarulUyoonthat therearenumerousmiraclesofShaikhRadoli.Whoeverwishestoknowtheseingreaterdetail, shouldrefertohisbook. ItwashisregularpracticetogoearlytotheMusjid,i.e.atAwwalWaqt(whentheSalaattimejust commences).HewouldsweeptheMusjid.However,thestateofIstighraaqwassodominantinhim, thatthekhuddaamhadtorepeatedlymakehimawareoftheroadtotheMusjid. HisDemise HadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe15thJaamaadilUkhraaintheyear836or837Hijri.Hisgraveis inthetownofRadoliinthedistrictofBarahbinki. Hehadafewsons.EachoneofthemwasaSaahibeKaraamatatbirth.Butlifewasnotdestinedfor them.Onlyoneson,ShaikhMuhammadAriflived.TheSilsilahwasperpetuatedthroughhisagency. Besideshim,MiahFaridShaikhBakthiyariandotherswerealsoamongthekhulafaaofHadhrat ShaikhAhmadAbdulHaqRadoli.

SHAIKHMUHAMMADAARIF(rahmatullah alayh)
HewasthesonofHadhratShaikhAhmadAbdulHaq,aswellashisfathersKhalifah.Hewasthus boththephysicalandspiritualsonofHadhratShaikhAhmadAbdulHaq.Furthermore,heisamong hisfathersmostseniorkhulafaa.HemountedthespiritualthroneofHidaayatafterhisfathers demise.HewasanauthorityoftheknowledgeofbothShariatandTariqat,quenchingthespiritual thirstofcreation.Anoutstandingfeatureofhisloftymoralcharacterwasthateverypersonwhomet himgainedtheimpressionthattheShaikhsgraciousattentionwasmostlydirectedtohimtothe exclusionofothers. Everychildborntohimwasamasterofexcellenceandvirtue.Frombirthhischildrenwere repositoriesofkaraamaat.Likewithhisfather,everychildwasbornaThaakirandwoulddieafter birth. SomerecordhisnameasShaikhAhmad.Atthetimeofhisfathersdeathhewas17years.Thus,he hadalreadyachievedspiritualperfectionatthisage. Towardstheendofhislife,heappointedhisson,ShaikhMuhammadashiskhalifahhandingoverto himtheancestralspiritualtrustoftheSilsilah. HisDemise Thereisconsiderableconflictregardingthedateofhisdemise.Thiscannotbereliablyestablished. However,itisbelievedthathisdeathwason17thSafar882Hijri.Amonghiskhulafaa,onlythe nameofhisson,ShaikhMuhammadisknown.However,itisverylikelythathehadotherkhulafaa aswell.

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SHAIKHMUHAMMADBINSHAIK AARIF(rahmatullahalayh)
Hewasindeedamostworthyvicegerentofhisillustriousandnoblefather,HadhratShaikh rif. HadhratShahAbdulQuddsGangohiwhoisamongthefamousandmostsincereMashaikhwas bayttoHadhratShaikhMuhammad.Initiallyhewantedtobecomebaytelsewhere,butHadhrat ShaikhAhmadAbdulHaqinstructedhimtobecomebayttohis(ShaikhAhmads)physical(i.e. biological)andspiritualgrandson(ShaikhMuhammad). HehadgainedIstighraaqtothedegreeofperfectioninthespiritualstateknownasMushaahad eMutlaq(beinginthedivinepresencewiththebaatiniheartatalltimes). Whenthetimeofhismautwasimminent,hisson,ShaikhulAuliyaknownasShaikhBuddah,wasin ShahaabaadbyHadhratShahAbdulQuddsGangohi.BymeansofTasarrufeBaatini(spiritual action)HadhratShaikhsummonedHadhratAbdulQuddsandhissontocome.Botharrivedatthe timeofniza(i.e.whentheoccurrenceofmautisinprogress).AtthattimeHadhratwas overwhelmedinthestateofIstighraaqandSkr.Hewouldrepeatedlyrevivefromthesestatesand comment: Alhamdulillah!Ihaveunderstood. WhenHadhratShaikhGangohiaskedhimwhathehadunderstood,hesaid: IhaveunderstoodTauheed. HadhratShaikhMuhammadentrustedallhisspiritualtrustsandtreasuresincludingtheIsmeAzam (whichwerehandeddownbytheMashaikhinsuccession)toHadhratQutbul lamShaikhAbdul QuddsGangohi.HadhratGangohirequestedpermissiontosettleelsewhere,sayingthathewouldnot beabletolivehere(inRadoli)onaccountofthesorrowandgriefwhichthememoryofhisShaikh wouldkindleinhim.Hadhratconsentedandalsoentrustedhisson,BuddahtoHadhratGangohiwith theinstructiontoleavehiminRadoliafterhebecamequalifiedforspiritualvicegerency.Hadhrat GangohifullycompliedwithhisShaikhsinstruction.Intheopinionofsome,HadhratShaikh BuddahhadinfactacquiredthemantleofKhilaafatfromhisfather. HisDemise Thecorrectdateofhisdemiseisnotknown.However,intheShajaraat(Documentslistingthe namesoftheSilsilah)898Hijriiscitedastheyearofhisdeath.InsomeShajaraat,eventhedate 17thSafarisgiven.AmonghisKhulafaaonlyHadhratShahAbdulQuddsGangohiisknown

SHAIKHMASHAAIKHSHAHABDUL QUDDUSGANGOHI(rahmatullahalayh)
TheauthorofNuzah[orNuzhah]depictshisancestraltreeasfollows: ShahAbdulQuddsthesonofIsmail,thesonofSafi,thesonofNasirulHanafiRadoliGangohi.

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SomesaythathisnamewasIsmailwhilehistitlewasShahAbdulQudds.Heis,however,knownby onlyhistitle.Hewasapparentlybornin860Hijri.Heexcelledinboth,UloomeZaahiriyyahand Baatiniyyah.HisobediencetotheSunnatwasoftheloftieststandard. AlthoughheisamongtheKhulafaaofHadhratShaikhArif,theperfectionofhisspiritual excellenceswasbythedirectFaidheRoohaani(spiritualemanationorspiritualattention)of HadhratShaikhAbdulHaq.Hadhratthuswritesinhisbook,AnwarulUyoon: Amongthetassarrufaat(spiritualactions)ofHadhratAhmadAbdulHaqisthat50yearsafterhis demiseheattendedtothetarbiyat(spiritualtraining)ofthisinsignificantentity(i.e.ShaikhAbdul Qudds)bymeansofhisRoohaaniFaidh. HadhratAbdulQuddsGangohissonwrites: Itwasmyfathersintentiontobecomebaytsomewhereelse.However,HadhratShaikhAhmad AbdulHaqinstructedfromAalameKashf(theRealmofSpiritualRevelation): Dontcontemplatebaytatanyotherplace.Ishallattendtoyouraccomplishment(takmeel). SinceHadhratShahAbdulQuddscherishedtheideaofbecomingphysicallybayt,HadhratShaikh AhmadAbdulHaqreferredhimtohisgrandson,ShaikhMuhammadBinShaik rif. Thus,HadhratShaikhwasinitiatedintotheSilsilahbothbyphysicalandspiritualbayt,his RoohaaniShaikhbeingHadhratShaikhAbdulHaqRadoli.BesidethisShaikhofhis,hehadalso gainedthemantleofkhilaafatefromShaikhQasimOodhiwhowasamongtheAkaabirofthe SuharwardiyyahSilsilah. Hewasabornwali.HewasaSaahibeKaraamatfromchildhood. Inthebeginninghedidsomefarming.Fromtheyieldofthefarmhewouldfirstspendonthe Fuqaraa. HehadaninclinationforSimaa(spiritualsingingoftheAuliya).TheUlamahaveenumeratedten conditionsforthepermissibilityofSimasessions.Theseconditionsareelaboratedingreatdetailin theexplanationsoftheAuliya.HadhratAqdasThanvihaswrittenatreatise,HaqqusSimaa,in whichhementionsfiveconditionstakenfromImaamGhazalisIhyaulUloom,aswellasfivefactors ofprohibition.Intheseventhsectionofhistreatise,hewrites: Arethereanyconditionsforits(Simaas)permissibilityandanyprohibitionsornot?Andarethose conditionsfoundinourtimeornotoraretheprohibitionspresent?InIhyaulUloom,ImaamGhazali statesfiveconditionsandfiveprohibitions.Theconditionsare: 1)Time,placeandparticipants. HadhratJunaidsaidthatSimaadependsonthreethings.Intheirabsence,neverlistentoit.These arezamaan(time),makaan(place)andikhwaan(thebrothersparticipating). ZamaanmeanssuchatimewhichisfreefromanynecessaryShariorotheractivity,e.g.Salaat, study,eatingtime,etc.,oranyactionwhichwilldistracttheheart. MakaanmeansthatthevenueofSimaashouldnotbeapublicplaceoraplacewherepeoplepass

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norshouldtherebeanysuchactivitywhichcoulddistracttheheart. IkhwaanreferstotheparticipantsoftheSimaasession.Thereasonforthisconditionisthatthe presenceofanalien,namely,apersonbereftofthespiritofthewealthofthebaatin,isdetestableand burdensomeashedistractstheheart.Similarly,ifaproudworldlypersonarrives,andheistreated respectfullyorifaSfiofriyajoinsinandonaccountofriyathefakefeignswajd(ecstasy)andtears hisclothes,thenthespiritualpleasureoftheSimaavanishes. Nowconsidertowhatextentisthisconditionadheredtoinourtimes?InmostcasesSimaaisheld nowadaysatthetimesofNamaaz,leadingtoitsneglect.MissingJamaatandtheapproachofthe expiryoftheNamaaztimeareevenconsideredunimportant.Furthermorenogriefisfeltwhen JamaatandNamaazaremissedforthesakeofSimaa.TheimportanceattachedtoSimaaisnot accordedtotheSunnatsandFaraaidh.Infact,somesaythatSimaistheactualandtrueibaadat, evensuperiortoNamaaz,Nathubillah! InmostcasesSimaatakesplaceatsuchvenueswhereallandsundryattend.Evenimmoraland corruptpersonsgathertoseethecomedybeingenacted.Noarrangementwhateverismadefor privacy. Peopleofaffluenceandworldlyprominencealsoattendinmostcases.Specialtreatmentisaccorded tothemevenwhiletheSimaasessionisinprogress.Peopleofriyaalsoattendinabundance.Infact, themajorityatsuchsessionsconsistsofthem.Sometimesthecriticstooattend,makingamockery ofthepeopleofecstasy.Sometimestheconsequencewasevenviolenceandthepolicehadtobe called.Thus,theconditiondoesnotexistevenpartially. 2)Now,regardingthesecondcondition,ImaamSahib(i.e.ImaamGhazali)says: Thesecondconditionisthestateofthosewhoarepresent.TheShaikhshouldnotlistentoSimaain thepresenceofsuchMureedswhowillbeadverselyaffectedbySimaa.Threekindsofpersonsare adverselyaffectedbySimaa: FirstisthepersonwhoisnotyetawareofTareeqat.Heknowsonlytheexternalactions. Second:ApersonwhoalthoughhavingabaatiniaffinitywithSimaa,stillhasinhimcarnaldesires andemotions.Theevilpowerofthenafshasnotyetbeenthoroughlybroken.Whensuchaperson listenstoSimaa,carnalpassionwillbestirredinhim.Thispoorfellowwillthereforefailmiserably andnotattainspiritualperfection. Third:Apersonwhohasvanquishedhiscarnalemotions,haswidespiritualvisionandtheloveof Allahisdominantinhim.But,helacksqualificationandfirmnessinZaahiriUloomandisnot properlyawareofthemasaailoftheDivineNamesandAttributes.Hewillnotbeabletounderstand whatislawfultoattributetoAllahandwhatisnotlawful.WhensuchapersonlistenstoSimaahe willattributeeverything(heexperiences)toAllahTaala. Thedamagewhichsuchkufrideaswillwrought,faroutweighsanybenefitsofSimaa.Itis furthermorenotlawfulforapersontolistentoSimaawhenheiscorruptedwiththeloveofthe worldandloveforfame.Simaaisalsonotpermissibleforapersonwholistensforthesakeof pleasurebecauseofthegravedangerofaddiction.Inconsequence,hisimportantdutiesandibaadat willsufferandhisPathofSulookwillcometoanend. Thus,Simaaisanextremelyslipperyactfraughtwithgravepitfalls.Itis,therefore,waajibfor weaklingstorefraintherefrom.

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Nowconsiderourtimes.ThemajorityofparticipantsaresuchpeopleforwhomSimaais detrimental.Leavealonetheirspiritualcondition.Eventheirzaahiri(practical)deedsarecorrupt.So manyofthemdonotperformNamaaz.Theyarebeardless,devourersofbribes,oppressors,ofloose morals,ofunIslamicappearance,young,saturatedwithlust,worshippersofexternalbeauty,etc.If therehappenstobepresentamongthemapiouspersonwhoisanaabid,thentoo,helacksadequate zaahiriknowledgeoftheShariat.NeitherisheanexpertofIlmeHaqiqat.Hedoesnotunderstand correctlythesubtlepointsofthesemasaailnorisheawareoftheterminologiesandsubtletiesofthe Aarifeentoenablehimtointerprettheverseshehears.HeisunabletoreconcilebetweenShariatand Haqiqat.Onaccountofignorancehewillacceptanycorruptthoughtsoccurringtohim.Whetherit beabidatorkufr,heisnotconcernedaslongashederivespleasure.Thousandsareinvolvedin clearbeliefsofkufrbecausetheymisunderstoodpoetrysungatSimaasessions. Tocorrectlyunderstandpoetryofambiguousmeanings,twothingsareessential.Firstly,the knowledgeoftheterminologiesoftheAuliya,e.g.themeaningofsea,waves,manifestation,descent indifferentsubstrata,etc.Secondly,theknowledgeoftheapplicabilityofthemeaningsofthese terminologiestoAllahTaala.CansuchmeaningsbeascribedtoHimornot?Boththese requirementsaredependentonadequateknowledge. HowmanyparticipantsinSimaanowadayspossesssuchtaqwa,mujaahadahandknowledge?Even ifthesequalitiesarefoundinoneortwo,theyarelackingintheremainderofthosewhoindulgein Simaa.Inthepresenceofunworthypersonsevenworthypersonsarenotpermittedtoparticipate. 3)Regardingthethirdcondition: ImaamSahib(ImaamGhazali)saysthatitistotalconcentration.Onesfullattentionshouldbe towardstheSimaa.Thegazeshouldnotwandernorshouldtheeyesfallonthefacesoftheother participants.Noattentionshouldbepaidtothewajd(ecstasy)ofanyone.Thereshouldbestabilityin concentration.Noactwhichdistractsanothershouldbecommitted.Theparticipantshouldremain seatedmotionlessandemotionless.Neithershouldhecoughoryawn.Hisheadshouldbeloweredin contemplation.Thereshouldneitherbeclappingofhandsnorjumpingnorshouldtherebeany simulativeact.Withoutanyextremelyimportantneed,thereshouldbenotalking.However,any stateofecstasywhichdevelopswithoutonesvolitionisunderstoodandcannotbecriticised. Aftertheterminationofthestateofecstacy,theparticipantshouldimmediatelybecomesilentand immobile.Itishighlyimpropertocontinuethedisplayofwajdbypretencesolelybecausepeople maysarcasticallyordisparaginglysaythathiswajdhasquicklyended.Oneshouldnotdisplaywajd bydeliberatedesign.Thepretenceofwajdistopreventpeoplefromattributinghisinabilityto sustainthewajdtothedeficiencyinhimorbecausetheymaysaythathisheartisdevoidofpurity andtenderness. Nowpondertheconditionofthepeopleofthisage.Towhatextentisthisconditionadheredto? Firstly,thereareextremelyfewwhoevenunderstandthemeaningsofthesubjectmatter.Whenthey lackthisunderstanding,whatattentionwilltheypay?Secondly,theystare(withdesire)atthesinger. Insomeplacesisfoundtheevilpractiseofimmoralwomenbeingemployedforthesinging.The questionofspiritualenlightenmentthusdoesnotarise.Rather,theparticipantsareentrappedin worshippingtheirshahwat(lustanddesire).Itisfurthershockingthatsomeconsidertheseevilgazes tobeibaadat,andNathubillahameansofQurbeIlaahi(DivineProximity).HowcanImaan remainsafewithsuchvilebeliefsandinsuchcircumstances?

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Assumingsomeoneguardshisgaze,droopshisheadandevenexperiencessomekaifiyat(ecstatic feeling),thenfirstly,inviewofthesefactorsofcorruption,thekaifiyatwillnotberoohaani (spiritual).And,evenifitisnotthiscalamity,hewill(onaccountoftheslightkaifiyat)makea mountainofananthill.Hewillscream,moan,fallonpeople,etc.Astormwillbecreatedinthe wholegathering.Thus,show,pretenceandcreatingproblemsarefullydischargedatsuch assemblies. Afterdissipationoftheslighttemporarykaifiyat,hecontinuestomaintainafalseouterfacadeof aloofnessandengrossmentinspiritualitytocreatetheimpressionthatheisaSaahibulHaal.Hethus, occasionallyeruptsintoslogansof (AllahHeisTheTruth).Thus,thisthirdconditiontoohasbeendisplaced. 4)Thefourthcondition,ImaamGhazalisaysistorefrainfromstandingupandscreamingaslongas onehasthepowerofcontrollingonesmovementsandemotions. Eventhisconditionhasbeenbanishedbythepeopleoftheage.Amanfullyinhissensesandhaving hisemotionsundercontrol,simplytocreatetheimpressionthatheisthekabahandqiblahofallthe peopleofecstasy,createsahueandcryintheassemblybyhisdeceptiveanticstoprojectanimage ofspiritualitysothatpeoplebecomehisfollowers. 5)Withregardtothefifthcondition,ImaamGhazalisaysthatifamanofgenuineecstasystandsup (inecstasy),allshouldconformtohisaction(andstandup).Thereasonforthisistoshow considerationforonesfriendandcompanion. Somepeoplehearingthisconditionmayfeelverypleasedandsay:Thatisexactlywhatweare doing.Firstly,ofwhatuseisittoadheretoonlyonecondition?Ifallconditionsarenotexecutedit willbelikesomeonewhowhilemakingwudhuwashesonlyhisface,leavingoutalltheotheracts. Sayingthathehasalreadywashedhisface,hebeginstoperformNamaaz.Everyoneisableto understandthefutilityandinvalidityofsuchaNamaaz.Secondly,uponreflectionitwillbe understoodthatinrealityeventhisconditionisnotbeingactedonbecausethebasisofthiscondition istoshowconsiderationforfriends.Conformingbystandingisanexternalformofshowingsuch consideration.Considerationbybothpartiesisessential.Forexample,justasitisnecessaryforthe muqtadistoconformwiththeImaamtotakeintoconsiderationthemuqtadis.Thus,heshouldbe considerateoftheircomfort,time,etc.Similarly,isitwithregardtoSimaaassemblies.Whilethe gatheringshouldregardtheSaahibeHaalandconformwithhim,sotooshouldheobserve considerationforthepeopleinthegathering.Somepersonsevenafterpassingoftheecstasy continuestanding(demonstratingsimulatedacts),imposingextremedistressontheotherswhoare constrainedtoalsoremainstanding(sincetheyareundertheillusionoftheenduranceofthemans stateofecstasy). Thus,thisconditiontooisnolongerfoundinpresentdaySimaaassemblies.Sofartheconditions necessaryforthepermissibilityofSimaahavebeenoutlined.Nowtheprohibitionwillbediscussed. TheprevalenceoftheseprohibitionsrendersSimaaunlawful.ItisafactthatSimaasessionsofthe presentageareadornedwiththeseprohibitions. ImaamGhazali(rahmatullahalayh)says: Ifsomeoneasks:DoesSimaaunderanycircumstancesbecomeharaam?,thenweshallreply: Yes!Therearefivefactors,thepresenceofevenoneofthemwillrenderSimaaharaam.No.1

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pertainstothecomposerofthepoetry.No.2pertainstotheinstrumentsofSimaa.No.3pertainsto thepoetryitself.No.4pertainstotheaudiencewhohasdevelopedthehabitoflistening(toSimaa). No.5pertainstothegeneralpublic. Theseelements,viz.thesinger,theaudienceandtheinstruments,arethefundamentalsofSimaa. Withregardtothefirstfactorofprohibition,Simaawillbeharaamifthesingerisawomanon whomitisharaamtocastagazeorifthesingerisayoungboy.Ifsuchpersonsarethesingers,the elementsofcorruptionarepresent. Youmusthaveobservedatthemazaaraat(mausolea)oftheSaints,prostituteswhohavethespecial expertiseofdeceivingandcaptivatinghearts,singingshamelessly,destroyingthetaqwaaof thousands.Insomeplacesyoungladsdecoratedandadornedinbeautifulornamentalattiresingin placesofamusement.Thisisevenworse. Thesecondfactorofprohibitionpertainingtoinstrumentsisthemusicalinstrumentswhicharethe salientfeaturesofimmoralpersons.Inthepresentage(atSimaasessions)theseinstrumentsare mostcertainlyemployed. Thethirdfactorsofprohibitionissuchpoetry/songswhichdescribethebeautyandattributesof lovers.Althoughsuchversesbythemselvesarenotharaam,nevertheless,itisincumbenttoabstain frompresentingsuchpoetrytoapersonforwhomitisnotlawful,foritwillcorrupthismind.Itis absolutelyessentialforapersonwithsuchcorruptideastoabstainfromSimaa. Withregardtotheprevalenceofthiselement,inthepresentage,therealityisnothidden.Presentat suchassemblieswherethistypeofpoetryissung,areyoungpeopleoflustwhoareinvolvedinillicit loveaffairs.Thistypeofsingingfurtherarousestheirevilpassions. Regardingtheforthfactorofprohibition,ImaamGhazalisaysthatitpertainstoapersoninwhom shahwat(carnallust)isdominant.Addedtothis,hepossessesthevigourofyouthwhich overshadowshisotherattributesofvirtue.ForsuchapersonSimaaisabsolutelyharaamregardless ofwhetherthereistheloveofanearthlybelovedinhisheartornot.Inallcircumstancessucha personslustswillbearousedwhenhelistenstosongs/poetrywhichdepictlovescenes.Shaitaan willinspirehisheartandfabricateforhimabelovedoneaboutwhomhewillfantasize.Thefireof passionwillblazeinhimandtheevillustfulcapacitieswillbegivenpowerfulimpetus.Thus,the forcesofshaitaanwillbereinforcedwhilethearmyofAllah,viz.Aql(Intelligence)willbe emaciated.Itis,therefore,waajibforsuchapersontoabstainfromSimaagatherings. ItisworthytonotethatImaamGhazalihasdeclaredthemerefactorofyouthtobeasourceof detrimenteventhoughtheyoungpersonshearthasnotyetbeenensnaredbyaloveaffair.Infact, ImaamGhazaliinstructsthatsuchpeoplebeexpelledfromtheSimaagathering.Alongwithyouth, ifotherelementsofprohibitionarealsopresent,thenthedangersareexacerbated. NowstudytheSimaaassembliesofthepresentage.Mostparticipantsinfactaretheyoung.Forget aboutexpellingthem.Theyare,onthecontrary,beingbroughttothesesessionsbyinvitation. Thefifthfactorofprohibitionistheaudiencecomprisingofmembersofthegeneralpublic.Neither isdivinelovedominantinthemnorshahwat(carnallust).Whensuchpeopledevelopthehabitof attendingSimaasessions,theybecomemarddushShahaadat(i.e.theirtestimonyisnotadmissiblein anIslamiccourt).
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Inthepresentage,Simaahasbecomeanamusementandasportforthepublic.Theslightestexcuse intheiropinionjustifiestheorganisationofaSimaasession. Wehaveexplainedtheconditionsandelementsofprohibition.Readers,themselves,cannowdecide. Thereisnoneedforustocommentfurther. AfterthedemiseofHadhratShaikhAbdulQuddsGangohi,ShaikhRuknudDeenaftercompleting theghusl,placedhishandontheblessedbreastofHadhrat.HefeltthemovementofThikreQalbi (Thikroftheheart). HadhratGangohisMaktbaat(letters)arefamous.HisMaktbaatbrimwithMaaarif(Divine KnowledgeandSubtleties).SincetheMaktbaatareintheFarsilanguagetheyarenotreproduced here.Furthermore,IlacktheabilitytopresentinUrduthespiritualrealities(Haqaaiq)whicharein theoriginal(i.e.intheFaarsi)language.Nevertheless,thosewhoareversedinFarsishouldstudy theseMaktbaatinkitaabssuchasAnwarulAafireen.Theywillderiveimmensebenefittherefrom. HadhratMaulanaRashidGangohisaid: WheneverIexperiencedanyuncertaintyregardingSulook,Iwouldascertaintheanswerby referencetotheMaktbaat. AmongtheworkswrittenbyhimisAnwarulUyoonwhichisdividedintosevenchaptersinwhich therealities,subtletiesandmysteriesofSulookhavebeencompiled.Thefirstchapteris predominantlydevotedtotheexcellencesofHadhratShaikhAbdulHaq.Thefollowingtooarehis works:TaleeqaatalaSharhisSahaaifwhichisinthesubjectofIlmeKalaam(IslamicPhilosophy) andHaashiyatutTaarrufisavoluminousexegesisofAwaarifulMaaarif. MuchofhislifeisdiscussedinLataaifeQuddsiwhichistheworksofhissonandKhalifah, ShaikhRuknudDeen.ManyanecdotesofhislifearealsorecordedinMiratulAsraar,Iqtibaasul AnwarandAnwarulAarifeen. SincethisbrieftreatiselacksthescopeforadetailedpresentationofHadhratGangohislife,Ishall narrateafewanecdotes.. Awaswasah(straythought)occurredtoaMureedofHadhratShahAbdulHaqQuddsGangohi.He thoughtthathehadalreadygainedwhateverknowledge(ofSulook)therewashere(i.e.byHadhrat Gangohi).HethoughtthattherearealsootherfamousMashaikhandtherewasnothingwrongin seekingdivineknowledgeelsewhere,henceheshouldvisittheotherMashaikhaswell.Buthefeltit impropertorevealthisthoughttohisShaikh.HadhratShaikhrealisedthiseitherbywayofkashfor someothersigns.Hence,hetoldtheMureed: Brother!AllahTaalasays:(Travelintheearth...).Therefore,ifyouforsometimewanderabit hereandthere,youwillobtainsomerelaxationaswellasbehonouredwiththeziyaaraatand barakaatofdifferentMashaikhandthenitwillnotbewrongtoenquirefromanyoneaboutAllahs Name(i.e.DivineKnowledge). Inhisheartthemureedfeltpleasedatthiscoincidence.Hetookleaveandbeganhisvisitingspree. EveryShaikhwhomhevisited,instructedhimwiththesameshaghlofPaasAnfaaswhichhehad beengiventopractiseintheveryinitialstage.Hewasextremelyperplexed,thinkingtohimself: EveryonetowhomIgo,beginmeoffwithAlif,Baa,Taa.WhateverelseIhadhithertopractised hasbecomefutile.Ultimately,feelingveryembarrassed,hereturnedtoHadhratShaikhGangohi
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andrepented.Hadhratsaid: Brother,areyounowsatisfied?NowsitinsolitudeandwithundividedattentiontakeAllahs Name. MuhammadGauthGawaliyari,theauthorofJawaahireKhamsah,wasanaamil.Hewas apparentlyacontemporaryofShaikhAbdulQuddsGangohi.Oncehesentsomejinnstobring Hadhrattohim.HadhratShaikhonthisoccasionwasengrossed(inthikr)intheMusjid.Thejinns arrived,butcouldnotmusterupthecouragetogotoHadhrat.WhentheShaikhnoticedsomeone,he asked:Whoisit?Thejinnsreplied:MuhammadGauthwishestoseeyou,hencehehassentus.If youconsent,weshalltakeyouwithoutcausinganyinconvenience.Hadhratsaid: IorderyoutobringMuhammadGauthhere. Thejinnsobeyed.TakingholdofMuhammadGauththeysetofftoHadhrat.MuhammadGauthsaid tothejinns: Whatiswrong?Youwereinsubjectiontome.Whythisdisobedience? Thejinnsresponded: Withregardtoothers,weareobedienttoyou,butnotinregardtotheShaikh.Asfarasheis concerned,wecannotobeyyou. TheydeliveredhimtoHadhratShaikhwhosaid: Haveyounoshame? Hadhratseverelyreprimandedhim.FinallyhebecamebayttoHadhratandattainedaloftyspiritual statusofdivineproximity(i.e.hebecameaSaahibeNisbat).HisgraveisinGawaaliyar. Onceawealthyandprominentpersonalityofthecommunity,whowasalsoHadhratskhaadimhad invitedthewealthyandthepoorofthecitytoattendtheWalimahofhisson.HadhratShaikh presentedhimselfinordertotestthekhaadim.Hewentincognito.Hechangedhisattireandarrived atnightandsatamongthepoor.HadhratShaikhobservedthatthekhaadimwastreatingand attendingtotherichandpoorinthesameway.HadhratShaikhremainedseatedamongthepoor,but thekhaadimdidnothavetheremotestnotionofhispresence.Afterwardswhenthekhaadimcameto Hadhrat(i.e.atthekhanqah),Hadhratdisplayedhisdispleasure.Whenthekhaadimenquiredthe reasonofhisdispleasure,Hadhratsaid: Iwasatyourgatheringoffeasting,butyoudidnotrecogniseme. ThekhaadimpresentedtheexcuseofhisinabilitytohaverecognisedHadhratbecauseofthe circumstanceswhichprecludedrecognition.HadhratShaikhsaid: Whydidyounotperceivemyfragrance?Ifyoucouldhaveperceivedthefragrance,youwould certainlyhaverecognisedmeinspiteofthedifferentgarb.Sinceyoucouldnotperceivethe fragrance,itisclearthatyoulackloveforme. (Thespiritualrationaleofthisattitudemaynotbecomprehensibletothosewhoarebarrenbereft ofspiritualinsightanddivinelove.ThespiritualbondwiththeShaikhforthesakeofdevelopingthe LoveofAllah,producesRoohaanifragranceintherelationship.Suchfragrancebecomesspiritually perceptibleaccordingtothedegreeoftruthinthemutualloveofthespiritualpartnersinthis celestialbond.Translator). HadhratAqdasThanwinarratesseveralanecdotesofHadhratShaikhAbdulQuddsinhisbook,

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AssunnatulJaliyyatufiChishtiyyatilUlyah.Ireproducetwohere. 1)OnceHadhratShaikhAbdulQuddscametoDelhi.ShaikhHajiAbdulWahhabBukhariwhowas adescendentofSayyidJalaludDeenBukhari,sentthewrittenmanuscriptofhistafseertoShaikh AbdulQudds.WhenHadhratShaikhopenedthemanuscripthiseyesfellontheaayatpertainingto thetahaarat(purity)ofthehouseholdmembersofRasulullah(.)Initstafseer,Shaikh AbdulWahhabstatedthatthesuccessfulend(KhaatimahbilKhairdeathwithImaan)ofall descendantsofRasulullah()isassured.Theirdeathwillmostcertainlybebeautiful. ShaikhAbdulQuddswroteinthemargin: ThisviewisinconflictoftheviewoftheAhlusSunnahwasJamaat. Hethenreturnedthemanuscript.Meanwhile,theUlamaofthatplacedeliberatedmanydaysonthis question.Finally,allacceptedtherulingstatedbyHadhratShaikhAbdulQudds. 2)OncetheImaamoftheMusjiddidnotarriveontime,hencehisnephew,ShaikhAbdulGhani wentforwardandbecametheImaam.Hepausedslightlybetweenand.HadhratShaikh repeatedtheNamaazandfuriouslysaid: YoungmenshouldbepreventedfromImaamateandinvalidatingtheNamaazofthepeople.Does henotknoweventhatthemouslandsilah(thesearetermsofArabicgrammar)jointoformasingle word,henceitisimpropertocreateaninterruptionbetweenthetwo.Waqfbetweenthemisnot permissible. Hehadsevensonswhoallweremenofvirtueandexcellence.TheywereeducatedinDelhi. Whenevertheywishedtomeettheirfather,he(Hadhrat)wouldhimselfgotoDelhitoavoidany disruptiontotheireducation. HisDemise ShaikhRuknudDeenstatesinLataaifeQuddsithatHadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe11th JamadilUkhraa977Hijri.OnSunday,Hadhratbecamefeverishandstartedtoshiver.OnFridayhis conditionimproved,enablinghimtoperformNamaazcomfortably.AfterNamaaz,thefever resumed.Evenduringhismaradhulmaut(thelastillness)hisibaadatdidnotundergoanychange. Heremainedfullyengrossedinibaadatdespitehisillness.Attheveryend,hesignalledforwudhu andheperformedtworakatsNamaaz.HemadeRukuandSajdahbymeansofsigns.Ontheninth day,onMonday,whileperformingNamaaz,hepassedaway. Somepeoplerecordtheyearofhisdemiseas945Hijri.Hadhratsagewas84years.For35yearshe hadlivedinRadoli.In896Hijri,hesettledinShahaabadontherequestandinsistenceofUmar KhanKashiwhowasaministerofSultanSikanderLudhi.Healsolivedfor35yearsinShahaabad. In893Hijri,duringthereignofZahirudDeenBabar,HadhratsettledinGangohandlived14years there. Presently,Gangohisdividedintotwoareas.TheoneareacommonlyknownasGangohisthecity. TheotherareaistothewestofthecityandisknownasSeraae.ThisareaatthetimeofHadhrats arrivalwasacompleteforest.ItisherewhereShaikhGangohitookupresidence.Thedevelopment ofthisareacommencedaboutthistime.ItisherewherethethreePillarsoftheChishtiyyahSilsilah (HadhratQutbe lam,HadhratShahAbuSaeedGangohiandHadhratImameRabbaniMaulana RashidAhmadGangohi)arelyinginrest. Althoughtherearedifferentversionsregardingtheyearofhisdemise,themostreliableviewis944

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Hijri. Hadhrathadmanykhulafaa.ThewellknownonesareShaikhBhru,ShaikhUmar,ShaikhAbdul GhafrAzampri,ShaikhRuknuddinandShaikhAbdulKabeerwhoisbetterknownasBalaPeer.The lattertwoarehissonsaswellashisspiritualoffspring.HadhratShaikhJalaludDeenThanesriwho isalsohisseniorkhalifahwillnowbediscussed.

HADHRATJALAALUDDEENMAHMUD UMRITHANESRI(rahmatullahalayh)
HeisamongthemostseniorkhulafaofHadhratShaikhAbdulQuddsGangohi.Heisadescendent ofHadhratUmarBinKhattab(radhiyallahuanhu).HishomelandwasBalkh.Hisfather,Qadhi MahmdwasamongthenotedUlama. Apparently,HadhratShaikhwasbornintheyear894Hijri.Attheageof7hehadaccomplished HifzoftheQuraanShareef.Bytheageof17,hehadcompletedtheacquisitionofZaahiriUloom. Hethenbecameoccupiedintadrees(teaching)andIftaa(theissuanceofrulingsinmattersofthe Shariah).Hewasalsoinvolvedinwritingbooks. Ibaadat,Taaat(obediencetotheShariah),Wazaaifandpunctualitywerehisspecialcharacteristics. ObediencetotheSunnahwashissecondnatureasitwasofalltheChishtiMashaikh.Oncewhenhe wasbedriddenwithillness,medicinewaspresentedtohim.Althoughhecouldnotevensit,he instructedthosebyhimtolifthimoffthebedandplacehimontheground.Inobediencetohis instructionthiswasdone.Afterhewasseatedontheground,hetookthemedicineandsaid: ItisnotconfirmedthatRasulullah()ateanythingwhilesittingonabedorchair. Abundanceofriyaadhaatandmujaahaadathadphysicallyemaciatedhim.Hewouldremainlying downbutatthetimeofAthaanhewouldgainstrengthandvigourwonderfullyandwouldthen performhisNamaazwithtranquillity,takinghistime. HadhratShaikhAbdulHaqQuddsGangohislettersaddressedtohimcontainwonderfulHaqaaiq (spiritualrealities). Thestoryofhisinitialbaytisinteresting.SincehewasanImaamofUloomeZaahiriyyah,he taughtataMadrasah.Alwaystherewasagatheringofstudentswithhim.HadhratShaikhAbdul HaqQuddsGangohihappenedtovisitsomeofhismureeds.HadhratJalaludDeen(outofcuriosity) alsowentthereandsaidtothemureeds: Ihaveheardthatyourpeer(Shaikh)hascomeandthathealsodances.Conveymysalaamstohim. TellhimwhenIfindtimeIshallcometovisithim. HehaddescribedHadhratGangohisstatesofecstasyasdancing. Themureedeenconveyedthesalaamsandthemessage.Afterreplyingtothesalaam,Hadhrat Gangohisaid: Tellhim,thatthepeerhimselfdancesandcausesotherstodanceaswell.

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Sometimethereafter,HadhratGangohiheardavoicesaying: WehavegrantedMaulanaJalaltoyou.Bringhimintoyourcircle. Inobediencetothisghaibiinstruction(i.e.fromthecelestialrealm)HadhratGangohiwenttothe MadrasahwhereacircleofstudentswassittingaroundMaulanaJalaludDeen.Aftercompletingthe lesson,MaulanaJalaludDeenturningtoHadhratShaikh,said:Whichbuzrugareyou?Hadhrat Gangohisaid:Thesamedancingpeer.Sosaying,HadhratShaikhcastapowerfulgazeoftawajjuh onMaulanaJalaludDeen.Inconsequence,hisentiretreasureofknowledgewaseffaced.Maulana thenprofuselyapologisedandpleaded.HadhratShaikhthensatisfiedhimandrevealedtohimthe Knowledgeofspiritualrealities.AftersubjectingMaulanatoseveralroundsoftawajjuh,Hadhrat instructedhimintheobservanceofashghaal,mujaahadahandsolitude. Somedaysthereafter,theresettledoverMaulanaastateofobliviousness.HekeptHadhratGangohi informedofhisconditionandHadhratwouldguidehim.ThestateofIstighraaqwasdominantin himmostofthetime. HadhratJalaludDeenwasaperformerofkaraamaat.Onceitcrossedthemindofamureedthatin formertimesthereweremenofsuchloftyspiritualaccomplishmentwhocouldtransformamaninto aSaahibeKamaalbyagaze.HadhratShaikhbecomingawareofthisthought,said: Evennowtherearesuchpersons. Hethencastasharpgazeatthemureedwhofellunconsciousandsoheremainedforthreedays.A fewdaysthereafterhedied.WhenthenewsofhisdeathreachedHadhrat,hecommented: Everymandoesnothavethecapabilityofbearingthisweight.Thispoormantoolackedthis capability. InThaanesaranannualfairtakesplace.HundredsofthousandsofHindusgatheronthisoccasion. OnedayHadhrataskedhiskhuddaamaboutthefair.Hewantedtoknowthereasonforsomany Hindusassembling.Hewastoldthatalthoughitwastheirreligiousfestival,themainattractionand causeofthecrowdsattendingwasayogiwhowasanexpertintheperformanceofsupernatural feats.Hewoulddiveintosolidground,penetratedeepandsurfaceatanotherpoint.Hewould displaythisfeatseveraltimes,eachtimedivingintoatanewpointandemergingoutoftheearthata differentpoint.Hadhratexpressedthedesiretoseethisdemonstration.Thepeopleweresurprisedat thisrequestoftheShaikh.Theysaid:WillHadhratShaikhalsoattendthissport? ButnoonehadthecouragetosayanythingtoHadhratShaikh.Heinstructedthemtotakehimtothe fair.TheytookHadhratclosetothespotwheretheyogiwouldbeperforming. Whenthetimearrivedfortheyogitocommencehisact,hedivedontothegroundwhichsplitopen andhedisappearedinside.Immediately,HadhratShaikhswiftlyplacedhisblessedfootonthatspot. Nowtheyogifailedtoemerge.Theyogiremainedanddiedthereinthebowelsoftheearth. IrshaadudTaalibeenishisbookinwhichhesays: Peopleof(divine)lovedonothankerafterkashfandkaraamaat.Onthecontrary,theirentire concentrationisonibaadat,zuhdandtaqwa.Theyneverabandontheseunderanycircumstances.In fact,theydestroytheirnafsandtheydiebeforedeath.

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Thisstatement(i.e.thelastsentence)refertoaHadithofRasulullah()whosaid: Diebeforeyoudie. Elsewhereinhisbook,hewrites: IgnorantsufiswhoslipfromtheRoad(i.e.Sulook)misleadpeople.TheSufiMashaikhsaidinthis regard:ThesejaahilsufisaredeprivedofWuslilallaahbecausetheyhaveabandonedtheusl (principle).Theprinciple(forsuccess)istoobservethepureandsacredShariah. HisDemise HadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe14thor22ndor25thThilHajjin980or989Hijri,onaFridayat theageof95or96years.

SHAIKHNIZAAMUDDEENALUMRI THANESRI(rahmatullahalayh)
Hewasthenephew(sistersson)aswellasthesoninlawofHadhratShaikhJalaludDeen.His father,ShahAbdushShakrtoowasthekhalifahofHadhratJalaludDeen.HadhratNizamudDeen acquiredthemantleofkhilaafatefromHadhratShaikhJalaludDeen. HedeliverednumerousdiscoursesonUloomeAsraar(Knowledgeofspiritualmysteries)and Haqaaiq,(spiritualrealities).Mostofhisstatementshavebeenrecordedbyhiskhuddaam. AccordingtosomesourcesheacquireddistinctioninUloomeZaahiriwithouthavingpursuedan academiccareer.NightanddayheengagedinThikrNafiIthbaat(aformofThikr)andThikrbiljahr (audiblethikr).HeengagedinsuchintensiveThikrthathewouldnotemergefromtheroomfora fullmonth. HewasanexpertofUloomeZaahiriyyahandBaatiniyyah.BesidestheknowledgeofMarifatand SpiritualMysteries,hewasanexpertinchemistryandotherbranchesofknowledgeaswell.Asa resultofhisfameinallfieldsofknowledge,enviouspersonsharbouredmaliceforhim.Theywould repeatedlycomplainabouthimtotheking,AkbarwhohadHadhrattwiceexiledfromHindustan. ThefirsttimehewassenttotheHaramainShareefain.Afterspendingsometimetherehereturnedto Hindustan.ThesecondtimehewasexiledtoCentralAsia.Heretooenviouspeoplecomplained abouthimtothegovernorofBalkhwhointendedtoexpelHadhratShaikh.But,inadream Rasulullah()forbadethegovernor.Inconsequenceofthisdreamthegovernor becameandardentdevoteeandbecameHadhratsmureed. ItisakaraamatofHadhratthatthemalaaikahinhumanformwouldjoinhiminSalaat.Hewouldbe theImaamandtheythemuqtadis. Taking6monthsleavefromhisShaikhhewenttoBalkh,sayingthathewilleitherattainthegoalof hisquestorifthishasnotbeendestinedforhim,hewilldiethere.OnhisdepartureHadhratShaikh instructedhimtomakethikroftheIsmeZaat(Allahu)90timesinasinglebreath,gradually increasingthenumberinaccordancewithhisability.Ultimately,hedevelopedhisabilitytothe extentofupto400timeswithasinglebreath.Onlyamonthhadpassedwhenthemanifestationof

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TajalliyaateKhaassah(SpecialDivineIlluminationwhichdefinesrationalunderstandingand expression)began.Sincehehadnoneedformuchsolitude,HadhratShaikh,discouragedhimfrom it.HadhratShaikhthenorderedhimtoguideandinstructothers(inSulook).Itisawellestablished factthatduringhisverylifetimeHadhratJalaludDeenhadreferredallhiskhulafaaandmureedeen toHadhratShaikhNizamudDeen. HadhratShaikhNizamudDeenattendedtotheirtaleemandtalqeen.Heattendedtothe accomplishment(takmeel)ofShaikhAbuSaeedGangohiwhowastobehiskhalifahand representativeinHindustan.AnypersononwhomHadhratcasthisgaze,wouldbecomeaSaahib eShuhoodimmediately.(SaahibeShuhoodisahighrankingWaliwhosesouldwellsinaloftystate ofDivinePresenceandPerceptionTranslator) ItwasforthisreasonthathebecameknownasWaliTaraash(MakerofSaints). Hehadseveralchildren.Theeldestson,ShaikhMuhammadSaeedreturnedtoHindustanfrom Balkhtosettleinhishomeland,thetownofThanesar.Theyoungerson,ShaikhAbdulHaqsettledin KarnaalwhiletheothersremainedinBalkh. SharahSawaaniheGhazaali,twocommentariesofLamaat,RiyaadheQudsi,TafseerNizaami, RisalaheHaqiqatandRisalaheBalkhiyyahareamonghisworks. HisDemise HadhratShaikhpassedawayonthe8thRajabintheyear1024or1035or1036Hijri.Hisgraveisin Balkh.Hisseniorkhulafaaarehisson,ShaikhAbdulKareemandSayyidAliGhawwaswho remainedinBalkhwhileHadhratShahAbuSaeedtookoverthespiritualrepresentationofhis ShaikhinGangohi.AnotherseniorKhalifahwasShaikhullahDadQadhiSalam.

SHAHABUSAEEDNUMAANI ANNAUSHARWAANIGANGOHI(rahmatullah alayh)

HeisaNomaanibeingadescendentofHadhratImaamAbuHanifah(rahmatullahalayh).His fathersnamewasShaikhNr.HismotherwasthedaughterofHadhratShaikhJalaludDeen Thanesari.Initiallyhewasemployedinthearmy. FromthebeginningDivineLovewasdominantinhim.Heconcealedhisconditionforsometime. AfterwardshepresentedhimselftoHadhratShaikhJalaludDeen.SinceHadhratShaikhonaccount ofhisweaknessandoldagehadalreadyreferredhiskhuddaamandmureedeentoHadhratShaikh NizamudDeen,helikewisereferredShaikhAbuSaeedtoShaikhNizamudDeen.However,hewas smittenbyheartacheingriefofhavingbeenseparatedfromHadhratShaikhwhohaddepartedfor Balkh.Asaresultoftheextremegriefhesufferedbecauseofthelongseparation,heneglectedall hisashghaal. OnedayhevisitedthegraveofhisillustriousgrandfatherShahAbdulQudds.Therehehearda ghaibivoiceencouraginghimtogotohisShaikhinBalkh.Hecontinuedhearingthisencouragement forthreedays.Finally,hesetoffonfootuntilhereachedBalkh.Hisarrivalbecameknowntohis Shaikhbywayofkashf.Someguidanceinregardtohimwasalsorevealed(bykashf)throughthe

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mediumofShaikhAbdulQudds.Thus,ShaikhNizamudDeenaccompaniedbytheSultanofBalkh setouttowelcomeAbuSaeed.IthasalreadybeenmentionedearlierthattheSultanofBalkhhad becomeanardentdevoteeofHadhratShaikhNizamudDeen.Hewelcomedhimwarmlyand honouredhimhighly.HefurtherinformedShaikhAbuSaeedthattheghaibivoiceandtheaidwhich waswithhimalongthejourneyweretheactsofhisgrandfather,ShahAbdulQuddsGangohi. Accordingtohisinstructions(whichhereceivedbykashf),HadhratShaikhhonouredhisguestand servedonhimforthreedayswithgreathospitality. Afterafewdayshadpassedwiththisroyaltreatmentbeingaccordedtohim,ShahAbuSaeedsaid: HadhratIhavewalkedfromGangohtoBalkhnotforbeinghonouredwithfeasts. HadhratShaikhresponded: Sonexplainclearlyyourpurpose. Hesaid:Icametotakethattreasurewhichyouhadacquiredfrommyhome. TheShaikhscolourchangedandhesaid: Ifyouwishtoacquirethattreasure,thenbidfarewelltothispompandsplendour.Fromtodaythe serviceofattendingtothetoiletsisassignedtoyou. HadhratShaikhgaveinstructionstothemanagerinchargeofthegeneralmesstogiveShahAbu Saeedsomebreadmorningandevening.HefurtherorderedHadhratAbuSaeednottoappearinhis presencewithouthavingreceivedpermission.Neitherdidheprescribeanythikrorshaghlforhim. HeonlyhadtoperformSalaat,fastandtendtothebathingfacilities(ofthekhanqah). Aconsiderableperiodpassedinthisway.Oneday,HadhratShaikhtoldthecleanertodumpthe basketofdirtontoAbuSaeed.Thecleanerdidasinstructed.InangerAbuSaeedblurtedout: IfyouweretodayinGangoh,youwouldhaveseentheconsequences. ThecleanerreportedtoHadhratShaikhwhocommented: Oh!Thedevilisstillinhishead.TheodourofGangohskingdomhasnotleftyet.Hestillhasto attendtothetoilets. Aftersometime,HadhratShaikhinstructedthecleanertorepeattheperformance.Onthisoccasion ShahAbuSaeedsaidnothing,butglaredinangeratthecleaner.WhenheShaikhwasinformed,he said: Thereisstilldeficiencyinhim. Thisservicecontinuedforsomemoretime.Thecleanerwasagaininstructedtodumpthedirton AbuSaeed.Onthisoccasionhisnafswascompletelydocileandsubmissive.Hegatheredthedirt whichhadfallentothegroundandstrewitontohimself.WhenHadhratShaikhwasinformed,he commented: Alhamdulillah!Thefirststagehasbeentraversed.

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Truly,itisthistakabburwhichconstitutesthemainbarrierinthePath.Ifitiseliminated,thePath willbecrossedswiftly. AfterthisexerciseShahAbuSaeedwasgrantedpermissiontoenterthemajlistolistentoHadhrat Shaikhsdiscourses.Aftersometimehewasinstructedwiththikr.Aftercommencementofthikr whichresultedinsomekaifiyaat(spiritualstates),HadhratShaikhdiscernedsomeujub(vanity)in AbuSaeed.Immediatelyheorderedthecessationofallthikrandshaghl.HeimposedonAbuSaeed thedutyoftendingtothehuntingdogs. Onedaywhenhetookthedogsforawalkintheforesttheysawananimalandranafterit.ShahAbu Saeedwhowasholdingthechainstooranwiththedogsforawhile.Finallyhewasexhasuted.He lostcontrolofthetwopowerfuldogs.Hefearedthatifheletgoofthechainsthedogsmay disappear,invitingthedispleasureofHadhratShaikh.Hethereforetiedthechainsaroundhiswaist. Hemanagedtorunbehindforawhilechainedtothedogs.Exhaustedhefelldown.Thedogs runningwithspeedweredragginghimalongontheground.Theydraggedhimalongapathof stonesandthorns.Hisbodywaswoundedandhebled.However,aspecialtajallimanifestedonhim inthisstateandthepleasureofitmadehimforgetallthehardship. Attheotherend,thisconditionwhichhewasenduringwasrevealedtoHadhratShaikh(bykashf). Hesaidtohiskhuddaam: Atthismomentfaidh(Allahsspecialgrace)hasbeenbestowedtoAbuSaeed.Allahhashonoured himwithaspecialtajalli.Gototheforestandbringhim. Whenthekhuddaamhurriedtotheforest,theRoohaaniyat(spiritualsubstancepertainingtothe Soul)ofShaikhulMashaikhHadhratShahAbdulQuddsmanifesteditselftoSultanulAuliya NizamudDeenandsaid: NizamudDeen!Althoughyouareentitledtoimposeonhimevenmorehardships,Ididnotextract somuchhardshipfromyou. ThiswasareprimandtemperedwithlovewhichexercisedaprofoundeffectonSultanNizamud Deensheart.WhenShahAbuSaeednowappeared,HadhratShaikhaffectionatelyembracedhim. HehenceforthappliedShahAbuSaeedtothikrandshaghl,andbegantotreathimwithmuchhonour andconcern. ShahAbuSaeedmeanwhilewasyearningforthetajalliwhichhehadexperiencedonthedaythe dogshaddraggedhim.Dailyheengrossedhimselfinthikrandanxiouslywaitedinanticipationof thatecstaticexperience.Whentheexperiencedidnotoccurevenafteranumberofdaysthikr,he onedaysatdowndoingtheshaghlofHabsedam(withholdingthebreath).Heresolvedthathewill notbreathaslongasthetajallidoesnotmanifestonhimevenifitmeansdeathwhichhepreferredto theinsipidlifehefelthewasleading Heheldhisbreathforseveralhoursuntilfinallythemanifestationofthetajallioccurred.Insheer elationandecstasyhereleasedhisbreathwithsuchforcethathisribbroke.Simultaneously,ahand holdingaspoonofmedicineappearedfromtheGhaib(Unseencelestialrealm)andadministeredthe medicinetohim.Theribwascuredimmediately.Alongwiththemedicineheheardavoicedirecting himtodrinkchickensoupforafewdays. Afterthepassingofthisstate,heinformedHadhratShaikh.Chickensoupwasimmediatelyprepared
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andgiventohimforseveraldays. Finally,afterAbuSaeedhadaccomplishedhisspiritualcourse,HadhratShaikhconferredthemantle ofkhilaafatetohimandsenthimbackashisrepresentativetooperatethespiritualkingdom.After returning,HadhratShahAbuSaeedlivedasanunknownentityforsometime.However,after ShaikhMuhammadSadiqbecamebayttohim,peopleturnedtowardshimingreatnumbers. HisDemise Hepassedawayonthe2ndRabiulAwwalorRabiuthThaaniintheyear1040Hijri.Hisgraveisin Gangoh.Thefollowingarehiswellknownseniorkhulafaa:ShaikhMuhammadSadiqGangohi, ShaikhIbrahimRampri,ShaikhKhwAjahMuhibbullahIlahabad,ShaikhIbrahimSaharanpriand ShaikhKhwajahPanipat.

MAULANASHAIKHKHWAAJAH MUHIBBULLAHILAHABADI(rahmatullah alayh)

HisoriginalhometownwasSadarpr.AfterhavingaccomplishedhispursuitofUloomeZaahiriyyah hedevelopedayearningforUloomeBaatiniyyah.HethereforewenttothegraveofHadhrat KhwajahQutbudDeenBakhtiyarKakiinDelhiandsatthereinmeditation.Byspiritual communicationHadhratQutbudDeeninstructedhimtojointheSaabiriyyahSilsilahofShaikhAbu SaeedinGangoh.InobediencetothisinstructionhebecamebayttoShaikhAbuSaeed. HeisamongthedistinguishedkhulafaaofHadhratShahAbuSaeed.Onlyafewdaysafterhaving takenbayt,HadhratShaikhsaidtohim: Muhibbullah,comeIshalldeliveryoutothedestination. Immediatelyafterthisstatement,HadhratShaikheffectedKhwajahMuhibbullahstakmeel(spiritual accomplishment).ThiswaseffectedbytheprocessofTawajjuhinwhichroohaaniyatistransferred intothemureedbytheShaikhTranslator. Onseeingthis,someMureedswhohadalreadybeenwithHadhratShaikhforaconsiderabletime weresomewhatgrievedbecauseinspiteofthelongdurationoftheirstay,HadhratShaikhhadnot accordedthemthesameattentionashehaddonewiththenewcomerofafewdays,whowasrichly rewardedandhonouredwiththeShaikhstawajjuh.WhentheyraisedthisissuewithHadhrat Shaikh,hesaid: ThatisthegraceofAllah.HebestowsittowhomeverHepleases. Hethenexplainedtothemthateveryonewasnotofthesamemettle.Whilesomepeopleare dependentonsevereandprolongedmujaahadah,othersacquiretajalliyaatafteronlyalittleeffort. WhenMaulanaMuhibbullahwasappointedakhalifa,hebelievedhimselftobeunqualifiedforthis office.ButalongwiththeappointmentHadhratShaikhappliedhistawajjuhwhicheffected Maulanasaccomplishment.WhileHadhratShaikhwasengagingintawajjuhonMaulana,thelatter

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said: HadhratIcannotbearmorethanthis.Enough!Enough! TheSevenMethodsofKhilaafat TherearesevenwaysinwhichKhilaafateisacquired.Theseare: Ijazatan,Ijmaaan,Waarithan,Hukman,TakallufanandUwaisiyan. IthasbeensaidthatHadhratShaikhMuhibbulahwasappointedkhalifahbythemethodknownas Uwaisiyan.AfterhisappointmenthewenttoDelhi,thentohishometown,Sadarpr.Afterashort stayinSadarpr,hesettledinIlahabadwherehisfaidhspreadgreatlyamongthepeople.Numerous UlamaenteredhisSilsilah. Ilahabad,thisStarofHidaayaatfinallysetonthe9thRajab1054or1058atsunsetonThursday.His graveisinIlahabad.

MAULANASHAIKHSAYYIDMUHAMMADI AKBARAABADI(rahmatullahalayh)
Hewasbornonthe14thShawwaal1021Hijri.HewasaSayyid.Initiallyheledacarefreelife.But hisfather,ShaikhIsaHargami,wouldalwaysadmonishandrebukehim.Oncewhenhisfather subjectedhimtoprolongednaseehatandadmonition,hedevelopedadesireforknowledge.Hethus engagedhimselfinthepursuitofUloomeZaahiriyyahafterwhichanurgeforUloom eBaatiniyyahdeveloped.InthisregardhecametoKhwajahMuhibbullahandbegantheprocessof acquiringMaaarif(spiritualknowledge). Hestayed14yearswithHadhratShaikh,renderingeverykindofservicetohisShaikh.Thereare someveryblessedstatementsandgladtidingsmentionedbyHadhratShaikhMuhibbullahinregard toShaikhSayyidMuhammadi.SuchglowingstatementsoftheShaikhareawonderfulfortuneand happinessfortheMureed.InallthistimeheonlyoncevisitedhisfatherinHargaaminthedistrictof Sitapr. Hewasfondoftravelling,hencehespentagreatdealoftimeinhiswanderings.Afterdeparting fromIlahabad,hestayedforsometimeinAmrohahontherequestandinsistenceofitsinhabitants. HethensettledforawhileinAkbaraabad.HesetthepractiseofalternatingbetweenAkbaraabad andAmrohahstayingafewdaysineachtown.IntheendhesettledpermanentlyinAmrohah. Usuallymenofexcellencearetargetedbyenviouspersons.Thesepeoplefabricatedfalsities regardingHadhratShaikhSayyidMuhammadiandlodgedcomplaintsabouthimtotheking, Alamghir(Auranzeb)whoorderedHadhrattogototheHaramainShareefain.Thus,intheyear 1090,HadhratjourneyedtotheHaramain.Afterastayoffiveyears,hereturnedin1095Hijri.His wifehadaccompaniedhimonthisjourneyandShahMuhammadMakkiandShahMuhammad Madaniwereborn. Whenhereturned,theenviousenemiescouldnottoleratehim.Theyconspiredagainsthimand fabricatedchargesoftreasonagainsthim.Alamghirsuccumbingtothispressureofhiscourtiers,had
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HadhratimprisonedinAurangabad. HisDemise Onthe3rdRajab1107Hijri,HadhratShaikhSayyidMuhammadiwhilestillinprisonbidfarewellto thisabodeofhardships.HeisburiedinAgrainMahallahMotiKatrah.

SHAHMUHAMMADMAKKI JAFARI(rahmatullahalayh)
HewasaSayyidandthesonofhisMurshid,ShahMuhammadi.SincehewasborninMakkah,heis knownasMuhammadMakki. IntheShajaraat(PaperslistingtheSpiritualTree)althoughhisnameappearsasthelinkbetween ShahAdhdudDeenandShahMuhammadi,itisstatedinMaqaasidusSaadiqeen,whichisthework ofShahAdhdudDeenhimself,thatthelattergainedkhilaafatedirectlyfromShahMuhammadi. Thisisalsoconfirmedbyotherbooksofhistory.EvenaccordingtoHadhratThanwi,ShahAdhdud DeenisShaikhMuhammadiskhalifahwithouttheintermediatelinkofShahMuhammadMakki.In TaleemudDeen,HadhratThanwiwrites: AtthisjuncturethereissomedifferenceintheShajaraatofour(spiritual)family.Insome,thename ofMuhammadMakkiappearsbetweenShaikhMuhammadHamidShahandAdhdudDeen.In some,onlythenameofShahHamidappears.HistoryconfirmsthatShahAdhdudDeenacquired khilaafatedirectlyfromShahMuhammad.Thisimpliesthatthereisnootherlinkbetweenthesetwo Mashaikhbecausetheacceptedsequence(ofthenamesintheShajaraat)willbedisturbed. ThisresearchhasbeenfromNukhbatulTawaarikhAmrohiwhereinitissaidthatShahMuhammadi andShahMuhammadHamidweretwobrothers.ShahMuhammadHamidhadacquiredkhilaafate fromhisbrother,ShahMuhammadiwhosetwosonswereborninHaramainShareefain.Theoneis ShahMuhammadMakkiwhoisthesubjectofdiscussionatthisjuncture.TheotherisRoushan MuhammadMadani.Bothhadacquiredkhilaafatefromtheirfather. ShahHamidhadason,AdhdudDeenwhohadalsogainedkhilaafatefromhispaternaluncle,Shah Muhammadi.Atthesametimeheacquiredfuydhfromhisfather.Thus,theexplanationofthere beingnolinkbetweenShahMuhammadiandShahAdhdudDeenisobvious,viz.,theacquisitionof khilaafatefromShahMuhammadiwithoutanyintermediary. Theexplanationfortheseparation(i.e.theappearanceoftheintermediatelinkofShahMuhammad Makki)isthatfaidhfromShahHamidreachedShahAdhdudDeenaswellasfromhis(Shah Hamids)youngerbrother(ShahMuhammadi).Thesummaryofthisexplanationis: He(ShahMuhammadMakki)derivedfaidhfromhisfather,ShahMuhammadiwhileShahAdhdud Deenderivedfaidhfromhisbrother(?)andfromhispaternaluncle,ShahMuhammadMakki(?)as hasbeensurmised.Thus,alltheShajaraatareinreconciliation. (ThereappearstobesomeconflictandambiguityintheUrdutext,whichwebelievetobeamisprint Translator.) ItisprobablethatShahAdhdudDeenhadacquiredkhilaafatefromShahMuhammadidirectly.

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However,partofhisspiritualaccomplishmentwasobtainedfromhispaternalcousin,Shah MuhammadMakki.Hisotherbrother,RoushanMuhammadMadaniwasborninMadinah Munawwarah. InsomequartersHadhratsnameisgivenasSadMuhammadMakki.InsomeShajaraatthedateof hisdemiseis11thRajab.Furtherinformationontheyearofhisdemisehasnotbecomeavailable.

SHAHADHDUDDEEN(rahmatullahalayh)
HeisaSayyid.HeispopularlyknownbythenameSayyidIzzudDeen.However,theresearchof somepeoplehasestablishedthathisactualnameisAdhdudDeen,hencethisnamehadlater attainedgreaterrecognition.HeisthesonofShaikhHamidBinShaikhIsaHargami.Hisancestral hometownisHargam.However,in1073Hijri,hisfather,HadhratShahMuhammadHamidcameto Amrohah.Herehemarriedandsettledpermanently.Here,ShahAdhdudDeenwasbornon24th Rajab1077Hijri.Heis,therefore,popularlyknownasAmroohi. Accordingtohisownwritings,hewasthenephew(brothersson)ofhisMurshid,Shaikh Muhammadi.HehadgainedthehighestaccomplishmentinUloomeZaahiriyyah.Fromthevery beginning,taqwaandzuhdwerehishabits.Inspiteoftheinsistenceoftherulers,herefused acceptanceoftheirgifts. Ayogi,observingHadhratsvirtuesandexcellences,becamehisardentadmirer.Hepreparedan alchemyandpresentedittoHadhrat.(Alchemyisasubstancewhichtransformsbasemetalsinto goldTranslator).Hadhratrefusedtoacceptit.But,thevehementinsistenceoftheyogiconstrained himtoacceptthegiftwhichheputonashelfinthekhaanqah.Someyearslaterwhentheyogi visitedShahAdhdudDeen,henoticedthatthealchemywasstillonthesameshelfandhadgathered muchdust.Hesaid: Hadhrat,youdidnotmakeuseofit. Hadhratresponded:Theneedneveraroseforit.Wehaveagreaterelixirthanit. Whentheyogiaskedwhatthatwas,Hadhratsaid: Qanaaat(contentment). AfterhehadcompletedhisArabicandUrdustudies,theideaoflearningSanskritoccurredtohim. Inlearningthislanguage,heunderwentconsiderabledifficulties.Finally,hegainedexpertiseinthis languageandwroteakitaabinSanskrit. Healsowasanexpertofdreaminterpretation.Kashfwasafrequentincidenceforhim.Oncewhen someonedesiredtolearndreaminterpretationfromhim,hesaid: Learningthisknowledgeisdifficultbecauseitismostdifficulttoencompasseverykind(ofdream). ItisrelatedtotheincidenceofKashf.Afterkashf,theacquisitionofdreaminterpretationisnatural. MaqaasidulAarifeenishisworkwhichhecompletedin1124Hijri.Itisanexcellentbookon AqaaidandSulook.

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HisDemise HadhratShahAdhdudDeenpassedawayonthe27thRajabintheyear1170or1172Hijriatthe approximateageof100years.HisgraveisinAmrohahincloseproximitytotheJaamiMusjid.

SHAIKHABDULHAADI(rahmatullahalayh)
HeisbybirthaShaikhSiddiqui.HewasthesonofShaikhMuhammadHafizandthekhalifahof ShahAdhdudDeen.HewasbornintheneighbourhoodofKarishiyaaninthetownofAmrohahon Wednesdaythe14thRajab1084Hijri. Whenhewas4yearsold,ShahMuhammadihappenedtovisithishome.Whenhepreparedfor Namaaz,hecouldnotascertaintheQiblahdirectionbecauseofhispooreyesight.Hewassomewhat facingawayfromtheQiblah.InspiteofShahAbdulHadistenderageof4years,heturnedHadhrat Shaikhtowardstherightdirection.AftercompletinghisNamaaz,Hadhratsaidthatthisboywillone daybecometheleaderofthenation,guidingthem.Thesewordsofhisspiritualgrandfather exercisedaprofoundeffectonthechild.Theeffectcouldbediscernedonthechildfromthatvery moment. Afterafewdays,hismotherenteredhimintothelocalMaktabwherehestartedlearningelementary Farsi.Onedaywhentheteacherhadgonetoattendtosomework,afearsomelookingbeggar appeared.Allthechildrenbecamefearful.Thebeggarchewedsomethingandinstructedtheboy, AbdulHaditoeatit.Outoffear,heobeyed.Asthemorseldescendedintohisthroat,afearsettled overhim.Hedevelopedadislikeforcompanyandbecameclaustrophobicinsettlements.He wanderedintotheforestandwouldspendmostofhistimethere. IntheoutskirtsofAmrohahtherelivedaMajzbbythenameYateemShah.Coincidentally,Hadhrat AbdulHadimetYateemShahwhosaid: Ihavebeenorderedtokeepyouwithme. AfterHadhrathadstayedwiththeMajzbforsometime,he(theMajzb)saidthathisSilsilahlinksup withShaikhNizamudDeenBalkhithroughfiveintermediaries.He,therefore,advisedHadhrat AbdulHaditobecomebayttoShahAdhdudDeen.Inobediencetothiscommand,ShaikhAbdul HadiwenttoAmrohahandenteredintobaytwithShahAdhdudDeen. OnceduringthemiddleofthenightwhilehewaspressingthefeetofhisShaikh,he(ShaikhAbdul Hadi)said: Hadhrat,makeduathattheRepositoryofRahmatfreesmefromtheprisonofegoism(khdi). HadhratShahAdhdudDeensaid: Youhaveimposedonyourselftheencumbranceofmanyrelationships,yetyoudesiretobecome likeus. HadhratAbdulHadisaid: ItismywishtobecomelikeadogofHadhrat.

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HadhratShaikhwaspleasedwiththisanswer.AfterafewdaysHadhratconferredthemantleof khilaafatetoShaikhAbdulHadi. HadhratShaikhAbdulHadiwasaSaahibeKashfandgenerallyhewasapprized(bymeansof kashf)ofthethoughtsofpeople,hencehewouldanswerthemimmediately. Sincehelovedsolitude,hespentconsiderabletimeinthewilderness.Once,inadream,Rasulullah ()instructedhimtoliveinthetownsothatthecreationofAllahderivesbenefit.In obediencetothiscommand,hetookupresidenceinaplacecalledBaraah.Hewouldalsostaynow andthenatotherplaces.ThushisvisitstoAmrohahdecreasedsubstantially. Hehadavastnumberofkhuddaamandmureedeen.Peopleinlargenumbersderivedspiritual benefitfromhim.Finally,ontheinsistenceofQadhiShaikhulIslamandotherseniors,hecameto BarelyandtookupresidenceinKhaikherahwhichadjoinsBarely. HisDemise SoonaftersettinginKhaikherahhebecameill.OnFriday4thRamadhaan1190Hijri,hepassed away.HisgraveisinAmrohahintheorchardofShaikhZuhrullahSiddiqui.

SHAHABDULBAARISIDDIQUI(rahmatullah alayh)
HewasthesonofShaikhZuhrullahandthekhalifahofhisillustriousgrandfather,HadhratShah AbdulHadi.Theyweretwobrothers.HadhratAbdulBariwasofweakphysicaldispositionwhile hisbrotherofstrongtemperament.HadhratShaikhAbdulHadiwouldthereforeimposelesser mujaahadaatonhimthanhisbrother. HeenteredtheserviceofhisShaikhattheageof12.Hadhratwouldtellhimtocladhimselfingood qualitygarments.Althoughhisexternalappearancedidnotresemblethefuqaara,hisheartbrimmed withDivineLove.Heperpetuallyfasted. AfterHadhratShaikhAbdulHadisdemise,hecontinuedwithhisShaikhsmissionandwateredthe ChishtiSilsilahwithhisspiritualefforts. HisDemise Onthe28thMuharramorthe11thShabaanintheyear1226HijrionaFriday,HadhratShahAbdul Baripassedaway.Heleftbehindoneson,ShaikhRahmanBakhshandthefollowingseven Khulafaa:ShahAbdurRaheem,SayyidHatimAliShah,HajiKhairudDeen,HafizKulanShah, ShaikhMuhammadMuneer,ShaikhAminullahandHafizAbdulKarim.

HADHRATSHAIKHALHAJABDUR RAHEEM(rahmatullahalayh)
HewasamongtheSayyidsofAfghanistan.HecametoHindustaninthequestofMarifat.Atfirst hegaineddistinctionandaccomplishmentintheQadariyyahSilsilahfromShahRahamAliSadhri.

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Thereafter,hegainedfurtheraccomplishmentintheChishtiyyahSilsilahfromHadhratShahAbdul Bari. AfterthedemiseofhisShaikh,he(HadhratAbdurRaheem)tookbaytofJihaadonthehandsof HadhratGhaziFillahMaulanaSayyidAhmadShahidofBarely.Occasionallyboththesenoblemen wouldsitinMuraaqabahandtheNisbat(i.e.divinebondofproximity)oftheonewouldinfluence theother. SomeoneaskedHadhratShahAbdurRaheem: Youareamanofgreatspiritualexcellence.InbaatiniperfectionyouarenotlessthanSayyidSahib. Infact,yousurpasshim.Whythenareyousodevotedtohim?You,yourselfhavebecomehis MureedandyouenjoinyourMureedstobecomehisMureeds. Heresponded: Inspiteofallthis,wedonotknowhowtoperformNamaazandfast.WiththebarkatofSayyid Sahib,wehavelearnttoperformSalaatandfast. HisDemise On27thThilQadh1246Hijri,HadhratAbdurRaheemwasmartyredinthebattlefieldalongwith HadhratSayyidSahibandMaulanaIsmailSahibintheJihaadcampaignagainsttheSikhs.Heis buriedinPanjtaarMulkWilaayat.

HADHRATAQDASMIANJINUR MUHAMMAD(rahmatullahalayh)
Hewasbornin1201Hijri.HishometownisJhanjhaanah.HisfathersnamewasSayyidJamal MuhammadAlawi.HeisofthechildrenofHadhratShahAbdurRazzaqJhanjhanwi.Heisbybirth anAlawi.Intheninthancestrallink,HadhratMianjislineagelinksupwithShahAbdurRazzaq. HeacquiredtheNisbatofTareeqatfromHadhratShahAbdurRaheem.Hetooktheutmostcareto concealhisspiritualstate.HehadoccupiedhimselfwithteachingtheQuraanShareeftolittleboys inthetownofLohaariwhichisneartoThaanabovan. HisobediencetotheSunnatwasofaveryloftydegree.For30yearshenevermissedTakbirelaof anyJamaatSalaat.Hisextremeconcealmentdidnotpermitanyonetoknowofhisexcellences.It wasadreamofHadhratHajiImdadullahwhichultimatelyrevealedHadhratMianjiselevatedstatus. HadhratHajiImdadullahSahibinhisquestforaShaikhwasextremelyrestless.Thiswillbe explainedindetaillater.Duringthistime,hesawRasulullah(.)Butonaccountof extremeawe,hewasunabletoadvanceastep.HadhratHajiSahibsgrandfather,MullahBulaqi arrived.TakingHajiSahibshand,hepropelledhim(HajiSahib)toRasulullah(.) NabieKareem()tookthehandofHajiSahibandplaceditinthehandofShaikhul MashaikhHadhratMianji. SincehehadnoawarenessofHadhratMianji,hewascompletelybaffledafterthedream.Whois thisbuzrug?Wherecanhebefound?TheseweretheperplexingissuesforHadhratHajiSahib.

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Severalyearspassedinthisconditionofbewildermentandextremeagitation. WhenHadhratImdadullahsUstaad,HadhratMaulanaQalandarobservedthisrestlessness,he advisedHajiSahibtogotoLohaariandmeetwithHadhratMianji.Perhapsyourrestlessnesswill decrease,hesaid.OnreceivingthisguidancefromhisUstaad,HadhratHajiSahibdidnotdelaya moment.HesetoffonfootimmediatelyforLohaari.Restlessnessandenthusiasmimpelledhimon withsuchforcethathisfeetbecameblistered. Finally,hereachedLohaariandwenttomeetHadhratMianji.Ashisgazefellontheauspiciousface ofhisfuturespiritualfather,theimagehesawyearsagoinhisdreamstoodbeforehim.Hehad reachedtheendofhislongquestandhisdashedhopessuddenlycameintofullbloom. HajiImdadullahimmediatelyfellatthefeetofHadhratMianjiwhosimultaneouslyliftedHaji Sahibshead.Embracinghim,hesaid: Haveyoucompleteconfidenceinyourdream? ThisveryfirstKaraamatofHadhratMianjifurthersolidifiedtheconvictionofHajiImdadullah. HadhratMianjisMurshidwasHadhratShahAbdurRaheemwhohadmadebaytofJihaad(aswas mentionedearlier)atthehandsofHadhratSayyidAhmadShahid.Hehadsentamessengertobring HadhratMianjitomakebaytwithHadhratSayyidAhmad.Whenthemessengerarrivedin Jhanjhaanah,HadhratMianjiwasholdingthereinsofhishorseinhishandandgivingwatertoit. Whenthemessagewasdelivered,akaifiyatsettledoverHadhratMianji.Thehorsetoowasaffected bythiskaifiyatsomuchthatitbeganrolling. Inresponsetothemessage,HadhratMianjiwenttoSahaaranprandlinkedupwithHadhratSayyid Sahibscaravan.WhenhereachedBaalaakotinPunjab,HadhratSayyidandShahAbdurRaheem instructedhimtoreturntoLohaari.IncompliancewiththeirinstructionhereturnedtoLohaariand settleddownpermanently. HadhratHajiImdadullahnarratesthatHadhratMianjionceafterJumaSalaatwasgivingpeople someNaseehat.PeoplethinkingthathewasabouttoleavethisworldfortheAakhiratweremuch grievedandtheyevendisplayedtheirsadness.Conveyingtheirfeeling,theysaidtoHadhrat: Wethoughtthatinourhomeswehadatreasuretobenefitfromwheneverwedesired. Hadhratresponded: Inthehomesyouhavewithyoumanyofmyfriends.Considerthemasmyrepresentatives. HadhratMianjihadappointedHafizMuhammadZaminhiskhalifahatapublicgatheringandby implicationotherstoowereappointed.Afterashortwhile,HadhratMianjibecameill.Heinstructed hisassociatestotakehimtohishometown,Jhanjhaanah.HajiImdadullahcontinues: WhenthecartinwhichhewasjourneyingreachedThaanabovan,itwasmadetohaltneartothe Musjid.Itoowaspresent.Hadhratsaid:YouaresinglewhileHafizZaminSahibandShaikh MuhammadSahibhavefamilies.Itwasmyintentiontoimposemujaahadahanddifficultyonyou, butthereisnoescapefromtheWillofAllahTaala.ThecallfortheJourneyofAakhirahhas arrived.WhenHadhratwasspeaking,Iwasleaningagainstthecartandcrying.Consolingme,

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Hadhratsaid:TheFaqirdoesnotdie.Heissimplytransformedfromoneabodetoanother.The samebenefitwhichwasexperiencedduringtheFaqirsphysicallifewillbeacquiredfromhis grave. Finally,HadhratMianjidiedatheageof58onFriday,4thRamadhaanMubaarak1259Hijri.In termsofhiswasiyyahhewasburiedinthefieldofImaamNasirudDeenMahmdShahidSabzwari. OnceaSaahibeKashfwhocametoJhanjhaanahvisitedthegraveofHadhratMianji.Afterwardshe commented: Alas!Somezaalim(cruelperson)hasburiedhimneartoImaamSayyidMahmd.Onaccountof respect,heiswithholdinghisanwaar(raysofspiritualillumination).Ifhehadbeenburiedina desolateplace,theworldwouldhaveglitteredwithhisanwaar.Iftherewasnotthedangeroffitnah (strife),Iwouldhaveexhumedhimandburiedhimelsewheresothatallcouldwitnesshisanwaar andblessings. Somepeoplehadintendedtoraisetheheightofthegrave.However,inadreamheforbadethem, sayingthattodosoisinconflictwiththeSunnah. SomeAnecdotes 1)HadhratNrMuhammadleftLohaariandcametoJhanjhaanahbecausethePathansofLohaarihad displeasedhimonsomeissue.AfterHadhrathadleftLohaari,aseriesoffires,oneaftertheother, ragedthroughthedifferentneighbourhoodsofthetown.ThePathansfeltthatthecauseofthis calamitywasthedispleasureofHadhratMianji.TheycametoJhanjhaanahandafterconsiderable pleadings,theybroughtHadhratbacktoLohaari.AfterHadhratsreturn,thereneveragainwasa fire. Aftersometime,thePathansenquiredfromHadhratthereasonforthefiresafterhehadleft.Hadhrat said:TheonlythingIknowisthatoccasionallyonaccountofloveforLohaari,Iwouldthinkofits neighbourhoods. 2)Oncewhentherewasaseveredrought,severalpeoplecametoHadhratMianjitorequesthimfor dua.AtthetimeHadhratwassuckingsugarcane.Amongthesepeople,therewasonewithwhom Hadhrathadaveryinformalandcordialrelationship.Hadhratsaidtohim: IfyousuckthestalkswhichIhadsucked,InshaAllah,therainwillcome. Thepersonatfirsthesitated,butwhenpressedbytheothers,hestartedtochewandsuckthestalks. Ashedidso,theraincloudsgatheredanditbeganrainingintorrents. 3)Onceafarmcaughtfire.ThefarmerraninconsternationtoHadhratandrelatedwhathad happened.Hadhratremovedhistopifromhisheadandgaveittothefarmer,saying: Makehasteandthrowitintothefire. Thefarmerranbacktohisfarmandthrewthetopiintotheragingfirewhichimmediatelydiedout. 4)WheneverHadhratMianjiwouldgotothemarketplace,allthetraderswouldstandinrespect. OnceanonMuslimobjectedtothis.Heconvincedthetraderstodiscardthispractiseandthey agreed.SometimethereafterwhenHadhratMianjicametothemarketplacethenonMuslimtoowas present.Surprisingly,thenonMuslimwasthefirstonetostandupinrespect.Alltheothertraders

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didlikewiseasusual.AfterHadhratleft,thetradersquestionedthenonMuslimobjector.Hesaid:I washelpless.Ihadnooptionotherthantostand.WhenHadhratcame,itseemedasifaninvisible forcehadcaughtholdofmyearsandcommandedmetostand. 5)OnceanAalimfromKarnaalsaidtoHadhratMianji: WehearstoriesofpeoplehavingseenthedismembermentofthebodiesoftheAuliya.Theirheads, hands,feet,etc.allseparatedfromtheirbodies. Hadhratreplied: MymaternalunclenarratedthatoncehewenttovisitHadhratMianSahibatmidday.Thedoorof hisroomwasclosedalthoughnotbolted.Hesays:WhenIopenedthedoorIwasshockedtoseethe entirebodyofHadhratMianSahibdismembered.Ashesawme,thevariouslimbsreunited.Hadhrat MianSahibsatupandtoldmenottodivulgewhatIhadseen. 6)OnceaveryprominentSadhuwasHadhratMianjisguest.Ashewasdeparting,hesaid: Mianji,inmybagisanelixir.Takeit.Itseemsasifyouarelackinginfunds. (ElixirofAlchemyisasubstancewhichtransformsbasemetalsintogoldTranslator). HadhratMianjirefusingacceptancesaidthathehadnouseforit.TheSadhuagaininsisted,but Hadhratrefused.Whenheinsistedthethirdtime,Hadhratpickedupastoneandflungitagainstthe wallinfrontofthemandsaidtotheSadhu:Look!WhentheSadhulooked,hestaredin astonishmentatthewall,thewholeofwhichhadturnedintogold. TheSadhucommented: Mianji,trulyyoudontneedit. 7)HadhratShaikhulIslam,MaulanaMadanisaidthatthesamekaifiyat(spiritualstate)which constrainedMansralHallajtoproclaim:AnalHaq(IamTheTruth,i.e.Allah)prevailedforsix monthsonHadhratMianji.Butnooneknewofthis.Herestrainedhimselfadmirablyandcontinued withhisteaching. 8)OncesomepeoplecametoHadhratMianjiandassertedtheirdesireforislaah(selfreformation). AtthattimeHadhratwasengagedinteachingthechildren.Instructingthechildrentocontinuewith theirlessons,Hadhratwentintohisroomwiththepeopleandclosedthedoor.InsideHadhratbegan castingtawajjuhonthegroup.Thebiggestofthechildren(fromthegroupofchildrenlearningtheir lessons)cameandpeepedthroughthekeyhole.HesawHadhratMianjiwithclosedeyessitting facingthepeople.Thechildnarratedtotheotherchildrenwhathehadseen.Hethen,withagroupof children,imitatedthescene.Hepretendedtobetheshaikhandsatinfrontofthem.Allthechildren closedtheireyes.WhenlaterHadhratMianjilearntofthechildrensact,heinstructedtheboytosit infrontofhimwithclosedeyes.He,howeverbecamescaredveryquickly.Unabletobearit,hegot upandwentaway.Inhisoldagehesaidthatatthetimeduringhischildhoodwhenhehadsetwith closedeyesinfrontofMianji,itseemedasifaburningflamewasputonhisheart,whichhewas unabletobear.Immediatelythereaftertheflamelifted.Hecontinues: Nevertheless,theeffectofthatchildhoodexperienceissuchthatevennowonadarknight,inside thehouse,duringwinterwithmyfacecoveredundertheblanket,Iamawareofthemovementofthe leavesoftheNeemtreeoutsidethehouse. 9)EitherHadhratMaulanaRashidAhmadGangohiorHadhratMaulanaAshrafAliThanwinarrated thatsomeoneinformedHadhratMianjiofamanwhohadanexceptionallybeautifulvoice.The

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informersuggestedtoHadhrattosometimeslistentoanat(song)ofthisperson.HadhratMianji said: SometimespeopleaskmetobetheImaam.Onthequestionofsingingevenwithoutthe accompanimentofmusicalinstrumentsthereisdifferenceofopinion.Furtheritisnegatoryof cautiontolistentoit.Therefore,Ishallnotlistentoit. Afternarratingthisepisode,HadhratThanwicommented: ThisindicatesthedegreeofhisrespectandregardforthepostofImaamate.Heabstainsfromeven anikhtilaaf(anactwhichsomesayispermissibleandotherssayisnotpermissible).Thiswasapure SfiwhocaredsomuchfortheShariah. 10)WhenHadhratHajiImdadullahtookupresidenceinthePeerMuhammadwaliMusjidof Thaanabovan,therewasnoverandatotheMusjid.Thereweresomegravesandsometrees.A buzrugbythenameHasanAliShahwhoparticipatedinSimaalivedthere.Buthewasnotamanof theworld.Hewassincere.WhenHadhratImdadullaharrived,thisbuzrug,outofrespect,leftthe placeandwenttoShahWilaayatSahib(thisisthenameofasuburb).Thisbuzruginspiteofhis advancedage,vacatedtheplaceforHajiImdadullahwhowasatthetimeayoungman. HadhratMianjiNrMuhammadwouldoccasionallyvisittheplace.Inthisplacewasafamilywhose landwasexpropriated.Thefamilywascontestingtheactioninabidtoreclaimtheland.Theycame toHadhratMianjiforduainthisregard.Hadhratsaid: MyHaji(i.e.HajiImdadullah)findsitdifficulttosithere.Buildforhimaverandahere.Ishall makedua. Theypromisedtobuildtheveranda. ThematterwasheardincourtatIlahabad.Thefamilywassuccessfulandthelandwasrestoredto them.Theoutcomeoftheirapplicationwasconveyedtothembyaspecialletteroftheauthorities.In happinesstheyinformedHadhratMianjiwhosaid: Doyoualsorememberyourpromise? Theysaidthattheycouldaffordonlyhalfthecostoftheveranda.HadhratMianjicommented: Verywell,evenifitishalf. SoonthereaftercamethefollowingofficialnotificationfromIlahabad: Theexpropriationwillbereinstatedafterthedeathoftheowner. TheyhastenedtoHadhratwiththisnews.Hadhratsaid: Afterall,you,yourselves,havehalvedit.Now,whatcanIdo? HisKhulafaa ThatHadhratMianjiwasafountainheadoffaidhaanandIrfaan(spiritualbenefitsanddivine knowledge)andthathissystemoftarbiyat(spiritualandmoraltraining)wasofexceptionallylofty degreeandmosteffective,canbeascertainedfromthefactthattheIrfaaniandRoohaanipedestalof hisKhulafaaareofsuchelevatedstatusthateachoneofthemconstitutedaStarandSunofspiritual guidanceintheirtime.ThefollowingarethenamesoftheseillustriouskhulafaaofHadhratMianji: HajiImdadullahMuhaajireMakki,HadhratHafizMuhammadZaminShahid,HadhratMaulana ShaikhMuhammadFarkiThanvi,HadhratShairMuhammadKhanLohari,HadhratSayyid

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MuhammadAmirJhanjhanviandHadhratBarkatAliShah. HadhratHafizZaminwasmartyredonthe24thMuharram1274HijrionaMondayatthetimeof ZuhrintheJihaadcampaignagainsttheBritishatShaamli.HeisburiedinThaanabovan. HadhratMaulanaShaikhMuhammadThanwipassedawayat10a.m.onTuesday,7thRabiuth Thaani1296Hijri.HeisburiedneartheEidgahinThaanabovan. SincetheelevatednameofHadhratHajiImdadullahislistedinourShajarah,weshallnowdiscuss him.

HAJIIMDAADULLAHMUHAAJIR EMAKKI(rahmatullahalayh)
HewastheShaikhofArabandAjam,afountainofspiritualbenefitandknowledgeaveritable treasurehouseofspiritualrealitiesandarepositoryofspiritualsubtletiesandmysteries.Theoriginal namegiventohimbyhisfatherwasImdadHusain.However,thespiritualauthorityofthetime, ShaikhulMashaikhHadhratMaulanaMuhammadIshaqwhohadmiraculouslydiscernedthe spiritualabilitiesoftheboy,advisedthename,ImdadIlahi.ItwasthisreasonthatHadhratbecame knownbythenameImdadullah.HisfathersnameandancestrywereHafizMuhammadAminBin ShaikhHafizBuddhaBinShaikhHafizBulaqiBinShaikhAbdullahBinShaikhMuhammadBin ShaikhAbdulKarim. Inthe55thancestrallinehislineagejoinswithHadhratIbrahimBinAdhamwhoisalsoHadhrats spiritualancestorinthespiritualSilsilah.Althoughthisisthepopularview,HadhratThanwiproves inhisTarjihurRaajithatinHadhratsancestrythereisFarkhShahFarqi,butnotHadhratIbrahim Adham. HadhratHajiImdadullahisadescendentofAmirulMumineenHadhratUmarFarqBinKhattab (radhiyallahuanhu).HewasafolloweroftheHanafiMathhabandanImaamofTariqat (Tasawwuf). HewasbornonSaturday,22ndSafar1233Hijri,atNaanotahinthedistrictonSahaaranpr.Naanotoh isapproximately20milesfromSahaaranpr.NaanotohisthehometownofHadhratsmaternal grandfather. HadhrathadtwoelderbrothersZulfiqar,theeldest,andFidaHusain.Theyoungestbrothersname isBahadurAliShah.Healsohadayoungersister,BiWazirunnisa. Attheageof3years,HadhratwasgivenintothelapofHadhratSayidAhmadShahidwhofavoured himwithasymbolicalbaytofTabarruk.WhenHadhratwas7yearsold,hismotherBibiHaseeni, thedaughterofHadhratShaikhAliMuhammadSiddiquiNanotwi,passedaway.Herlovefor Hadhratwassointensethatshecouldnottolerateevenanyonesstareathim.Shehadtherefore madewasiyyat: Honourthiswasiyyatofmine.Nooneshouldtouchthischildofmine. Inconsequenceofthestrictobservanceofthiswasiyyat,evenHadhratseducationwasnotgiven
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muchattention.However,sincehewasdestinedtoonedaybecomeaguideforhumanityanda repositoryofUloomeBaatiniyyahandspiritualmysteries,therewasembeddedinhisheartanatural yearningforHifzoftheQuraan.Thus,inspiteoftheabsenceofencouragementfromothers,heof hisownaccord,memorisedtheQuraanMajeed.Despitemanyobstacles,hefinallycompletedthe HifzoftheQuraanwithdivineaid. In1249HijriwhenHadhratwas9years,heaccompaniedMaulanaMamlkAlitoDelhiwherehe commencedtheacquisitionofUloomeZaahiriyyahfromtherenownedMashaikhofthetime.He hadjustaboutbegunwithsomeprimaryFarsiandArabicgrammarbooks,whentheredevelopedin himayearningforUloomeBaatiniyyah.Allahsrelationshipvarieswithdifferentpeople.Allah Taalaarrangesthecircumstances,waysandmeansfortheexecutionofataskwhichHeintends imposingonapersonandHethencreatestherelativeability(taufeeq)inthepersonwhohasto performthefunction.Hence,evenpriortoHadhratsaccomplishmentinUloomeZaahiriyyah,the intenseyearningforUloomeBaatiniyyahdevelopedinhim.Thus,attheageof18Hadhrattook baytwithHadhratShaikhMaulanaNasiruddinNaqshabandi.Heacquiredfromhimthevarious Athkaar(pluralofthikr)oftheNaqahabandiSilsilah. HadhratShaikhNasiruddinwastheKhalifahofShaikhulMashaikhShahMuhammadafaqaswell asthestudentandsoninlawoftheHadithAuthorityofthetime,namely,ShaikhulHadithShah MuhammadIshaq.HealsohadtheproudhonourofbeingthestudentofHafizulHadithShahAbdul Aziz. AfteronlyafewdayswithhisShaikh,themantleofkhilaafatewasconferredtohim(Haji Imdadullah).HethencommencedthestudyofMishkaatShareefunderHadhratMaulana MuhammadQalandarMuhaddithJalaalabadi.Hefurther,studiedHisneHaseenandFiqhAkbar underHadhratMaulanaAbdurRaheemNanotwi.Boththeseaugustpersonalitiesweretheelite studentsofHadhratMuftiIlahiBakshKandhalwi,theauthoroftheSeventhSectionofMathnawi Manwi.HadhratImdadullahstudiedMathnawiManwiwhichistheMineofUloomeMarifat, underHadhratShahAbdurRazzaqwhohadstudieditunderMaulanaAbulHasanKandhalwiwho hadacquireditfromhisfather,HadhratMuftimentionedabove.HadhratMuftiSahibhadacquired theknowledgeofMathnawiinAalameRuyaa(theRealmofVisionsandDreams)fromtheauthor, MaulanaRmihimself,whohadalsoappointedhim(MuftiSahib)tocompiletheSeventhDafterof Mathnawi. HadhratHajiImdadullahwithhisalreadypurifiedandhighlyadornedheart,benefitedtremendously fromthestudyofsuchawonderfultreasurehouseofMarifatasMathnawiunderthesupervisionof suchanobleauthorityonthesubjectasHadhratMuftiSahib.Hadhrathadmadethestudyof Mathnawiaregularpractice.Theconsequencewasaconstantincreaseintheburningintensityofhis yearningfordivinelove. AtthepeakofhisrestlessnesshewasblessedandhonouredwiththefortuneofseeingRasulullah ()inadream,whichhasalreadybeenexplainedinthesectiondealingwithHadhrat Mianji.ItwasonthebasisofthisdreamthatHajiImdadullahbecamebaytwithHadhratMianji. OnlyafterafewdaysintheassociationofHadhratMianji,wasthemantleofkhilaafateconferredto him. Afterhavingconferredthekhilaafate,HadhratMianjisubjectedHajiImdadullahtoonefinaltest.He thusaskedhisnewlyappointedkhalifah:

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Doyoudesiretaskheerorkimiyyah? (Taskheeristhepowertosubjugateandcontrolthemindsofothers.Kimiyyahisthealchemyto transformmetalintogold.Translator.) Onhearingthis,HajiImdadullahbrokedowncryingandsaid:ThedesireisonlyforMahbb eHaqiqi(i.e.AllahTaala,theTrueLove).Iwishfornothingofthisworld. Inresponsetothisanswer,hisspiritualfather,inastateofecstaticelationembracedhimand showeredhimwithmanyduas.Thechainoffaidhcontinueduntil1296whenthespiritualshadowof HadhratMianjiwaslifted. AfterthedepartureofHadhratMianjifromthisearthlyabode,anabsorbingstateovertookHaji Imdadullah.Inconsequence,hedevelopedastongfearanddetestationforpeople.Hewithdrew himselffromthemidstofpeopleandwanderedinthewildnessofPunjab,whichbecamehishome. HisloveandobediencefortheSunnahmadefaqr(poverty)asalientfeatureinhim.Hewouldrefrain fromeatingforuptoeightdays.Notagrainwouldgodownhisthroatintheseperiodsof selfimposedstarvation. Hadhratsaid: Once,indirestraits,Iaskedapersonforaloan.Despitehimhavingtheabilitytoadvancetheloan, herefused. Initially,Hadhrathadbeenslightlyaffectedbythisrefusal.However,hequicklyunderstoodthat whathadhappenedwastheactoftheTrueOperator(AllahTaala).Thus,theslightdespondency wasreplacedbypleasure. Thereafter,commencedtheincidenceofMubashshiraat(truedreams).Ononeoccasionhesawina dreamHadhratJibraeelandHadhratMikaeelwhichsymbolisedthedivinegiftsofknowledge, guidanceandsustenance(Ilm,HidaayatandRizq).InthisregardHadhratNanotwisaidthatHadhrat HajiSahibwasaproducerofUlama. Finally,afterspending6monthswanderinginthewilderness,in1260HijriHadhratwasblessed withseeingRasulullah()inadream.NabieKareem()said:Come tous.Simultaneously,HadhratwasovercomebyastrongurgeforgoingtoMadinah Munawwarah.Ultimatelyon8thThilHajj1261Hijri,helandedatBandareswhichisaportcloseto Jiddah.FromtherehesetoffdirectlytoArafaat. AftercompletionofHajjheremainedintheassociationofHadhratShahIshaqMuhajireMakkiand others,derivingspiritualbenefitfromthem.SomeoftheadviceswhichHadhratShahSahibgave himwere: Regardyourselfasthemostinferiorintheentirecreation.Abstentionfromharaamandmushtabah foodisofextremeimportance.Aharaamormushtabahmorselmostcertainlyharms. HadhratShahSahibinstructedhimtoobservethemuraaqabah(meditation)of What!DoyounotknowthatAllahsees? HadhratShahSahibfurtherinformedHadhratHajiImdadullahthatafterziyaaratofMadinah

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Tayyib,itwillbeimperativeforhimtoreturntoHindustan.Headded: InshaAllah,afterseveranceofallrelationships,youwillcomeagain.Thenyouwillremain. HadhratSayyidQudratullahBenaresiMakkiwhowasfamousforhiskaraamaatsentseveralofhis mureedstoaccompanyHadhratHajiImdadullahtoMadinahMunawwarahwiththeinstruction: Takehimwithcareandbringhimbackhere. Atlasthislongdesirewasfulfilled.AfterZiyaaratofRasulullahssacredGrave,hederivedthe fuydhofthatholyplace.DuringhistimeinMadinah,whileinmuraaqabahintheareaknownasA gardenofthegardensofJannat(i.e.theareabetweentheSacredGraveandblessedMimbar),he hadthehonourofmakingziyaaratofRasulullah()whoplacedanamaamah(turban) onhishead. WhileinMadinah,HadhratexpressedhisdesireforlivinginMadinahMunawwarahtoHadhrat ShahGhulamMurtazaJhanjhanwiMadaniwhoalsoadvisedhimtobepatientforawhile,forhe will,InshaAllahreturn.AfterafewdayshewentbacktoMakkahMukarraamah.Herehestayeda fewdaysbeforereturningtoHindustan. Intheyear1296HijriafterhavingreturnedtoHindustan,theseekersofSulookinsistedon becomingbayttoHadhrat.However,hishumilityconstrainedhimtorefuse.Butadirectivefrom theGhaibcompelledhimtosubmittothewishesoftheTaalibeen(Seekers).Thuscommencedthe processofbayt OnlyafewdayshadlapsedwhenHadhratssisterinlawsawinadreamRasulullah( )saying: Getup!(i.e.Moveaway!)IshallpreparethefoodofImdadullahsguestswhoareUlama. AmongtheUlama,thefirstwhobecameHadhratsmureedwasHadhratMaulanaRashidAhmad Gangohi.Apparentlyhebecamebaytintheyear1263Hijri.Afewdaysthereafter,followed HadhratMaulanaQasimNanotwi,thefounderofDaarulUloomDeoband. ItissurprisingthatHadhratNanotwiwasadevoteeofHadhratImdadullahbeforeHadhratGangohi. AtthattimeHadhratGangohihadnoassociationwhateverwithHadhratHajiSahib.When occasionallytheUstaadwouldskipthelessonofMuslimShareef,onaccountofthearrivalof HadhratHajiSahib,MaulanaGangohiwouldsay: AgoodHajihascome.Infactourlessonshaveclosed.(Thiswassaidwithsomesarcasm). HadhratNanotwiwouldrespond: Oh!Dontsayso.Heisextremelyholyandamongthechosen. Furthermore,HajiImdadullahhadgrantedkhilaafatefirsttoHadhratGangohiduringthestayin Thaanabovanin1266HijriwhileHadhratNanotwiacquiredKhilaafateduringHajiImdadullahs stayinMakkahinabout1282Hijri. WhenthesetwoleadingUlamabecamebayttoHadhratHajiSahib,otherUlamaalsoturned towardshim.ThefollowingUlamaenteredtheSilsilahatthehandsofHajiImdadullah:
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MaulanaAbdurRahmanKandhalwi,MolviMuhammadHasanPanipati,HadhratMaulana MuhammadYaqb(thefirstMudarrisofDeoband),HafizMuhammadYusuf(thesonofHafiz MuhammadZamin),MaulanaHakimZiyauddinRampri,MaulanaFaizulHasanSaharanpriand otherseniorUlama. Theenthusiasmandyearningwhichwereincreasingdaybydayinisheartproducedinhimtheurge tomigrate.However,inviewofthemovementsoftheAakabir(Senior)beingsubjecttocommand, thisidearemainedaburningdesireinisheart.Coincidentally,theMutinyof1276Hijri(1857) againsttheBritishtookplace.Mischiefmakerswantingtosavetheirskinsimplicatedothers.Inthis waytheybegancurryingfavourwiththegovernment.Intheaftermathofthisupheaval,Hadhrat HajiSahibbidfarewellforevertoHindustan. TheinnumerablekaraamatwhichhademanatedfromHadhratHajiImdadullaharebeyondthescope ofthisbriefbooknoraretheysurprisingbecausekaraamatarenotviewedasanythingspecialbythe Ahlullah(Auliya).Infact,theireveryactisakaraamat.Ishallthereforeomitthem.Anyonedesirous ofknowingofthesekaraamatshouldrefertothetreatisesKaraamaateImdadiyyahandKamaalat eImdadiyyahwhicharethewritingsofHadhratMaulanaAshrafAliThanwi.Althoughinthese books,hehasensconcedanoceaninacup,itnevertheless,isadrop.However,beingtheworkof HadhratThanwi,itiscertainlyreliable.AlsoinShamaimeImdadiyyaharetobefoundsomeof Hadhratskaraamaatandanecdotes. OnceamansawinhisdreamthatHadhratHajiSahibwaswearingthemubaarakcloakofRasulullah (.)HadhratMaulanaMuhammadQasimsaidthatthedreamwasclearandneededno interpretation.HadhratHajiSahibwascoveredinthecloakofShariatandTariqat. HadhratHajiSahibleftviaPunjaab.EnroutehevisitedthegravesoftheAuliyaatHyderaabad, Sindh.HeembarkedatKarachiforMakkahMukarramah.ForsomedayshestayedattheRibaatof SethIsmailonMountSafaa.Hespentmostofthetimeinsolitudeandinmuraaqabah(meditation), hencehedidnothavetheoccasiontoassociatemuchwiththeinhabitantsofMakkah.However, duringthedaysofHajjonaccountofthewishesofthethirstydevoteesofHindustantomeethim, Hadhratwouldmostlyremaininpublicview. Aftersometimehadpassedinthiscondition,adirectivefromtheGhaibdrewhisattentiontothe factthatanAarifshouldnotabandonanySunnatoftheNabi(.)Nikahwas, therefore,alsoessential.Onaccountofhissolitude,Hadhrathadhithertonoinclinationformarriage. But,becauseofthisdirectivehemarriedKbiKhadijah,thedaughterofHajiShafaatKhan MarhoomRampuri,on21stRamadhaanulMubaarak1282Hijri.Herparentswerealreadydeceased. Themehrwasfixedat60riyals,theequivalentof125rupeesorslightlymore. In1294someofHadhratskhuddaam,afterconsiderableinsistenceandpleading,boughtforHadhrat ahouseinHaarratulBaab.Hadhratwhoseglitteringheartalwaysregardedhimselfamusaafirinthis transitoryabode,didnottakealikingtothehouse.But,theinsistenceofthekhuddaamconstrained himtoacceptthegift. HadhratHajiSahibwasoffrailphysicalstature.Inadditiontothis,mujaahadat,riyaadhaat, reductionoffoodandsleepmeltedawayhisbodysomuchthattowardstheenditbecamedifficult forhimtoeventurnontohisside. HadhratAqdasThanwigivesinhisMalfuzaatadescriptionofHadhratHajiSahibsmamool

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(regularpractice)ofstayingawakeatnight.ThiswasduringHajiSahibsstayinHindustan.Hadhrat ThanwinarratesthisonthebasesofthenarrationofHafizAbdulQadirwhowasthestudentand mureedofHadhratHajiSahib.HadhratThanwiswordsare: AfterIshaa,Hadhratfirstlylaiddownonhisbed.All(whowerepresent)sawHadhratgoingoffto bedafterIshaa.Afterallthemusallishadleft,HadhratwouldinstructtheMuaththintoclosethe door(ofthekhaanqah).HewouldthenspreadamusallaintheMusjidandbecomeengrossedin Thikrullah.AccordingtoHafizSahib,HadhratHajiSahibwouldsleepforanextremelyshortwhile. Wheneverhis(HafizSahibs)eyesopened,hewouldseeHadhratintheMusjidengrossedinThikr. Henevermissedadaynordidtherepassadaywithouthimcryingandrecitingpoetrywitha sorrowfulheart. HisDemise Afterhavingbrightenedthisdarkworldfor84years,3monthsand20days,hereachedhisMahboob (BelovedAllah)atthetimeofFajrAthaanonWednesdaythe12thor13thJamaadilUkhra1317 Hijri,givingthepeopleoftheworldtheblemishofhisseparation.HeisburiedinJannatulMalaa (inMakkahMukarramah)alongsidethegraveofMaulanaRahmatullahKeranwi,theFounderof MadrasahSaulatiyyah(inMakkahMukarramah). HisBooks InmemoryofHadhratHajiSahib,thereareseveralbookswrittenbyhim.Thesearestillavailable andareenumeratedhereunder. 1.H SHIYAHMATHNAWIofMAULANARM ThisisanannotationinFarsiontheMathnawiofMaulanaRmi.DuringHajiSahibslifetimeonly twopartscouldbeprinted.Theremainderwasprintedlaterafterhisdemise. 2.GHIZ EROOH(TheNourishmentoftheSoul) Hewrotethisbookin1264Hijri.HadhratMianjiNrMuhammadisalsodiscussed.Thisbook consistsof1600versesofpoetry. 3.JIHAADEAKBAR(TheGreaterJihaad) Hecomposedthisbookin1268.ThisisactuallyaFarsiworkinpoetryofanotherauthor.Hadhrat translateditintoUrdu.Inconsistsof17pageswith679verses. 4.MATHNAWITUHFAHTULUSHSHAQ(MathnawiAgiftforLovers) Thisconsistsof1324poeticalversesandwascompiledin1281. 5.RIS LAHDARDGHAMN K(TheTreatiseofPainfulSorrow) Itconsistsof5pageswith175verses. 6.IRSH DEMURSHID(TheDirectiveoftheMurshid) Thisbookdealswithwazaaif,muraaqabaat,auraadandtheshajaraatofthefourSilsilah.Itwas writtenin1293Hijri. 7.ZIY ULQULOOB(GlitteroftheHearts) ThisbookisinFarsi.HadhratwrotethisbookinMakkahMukarramahin1282Hijriontherequest ofHafizMuhammadYusuf,thesonofHadhratHafizMuhammadZamin.

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HadhratThanwiwritesinhisMalfzaatthatHajiImdadullahsaid: IhavedeletedtwothirdsofZiyaulQuloobbecauseIwasinformedbyilhaam(divineinspiration) thatitisinappropriatetorevealit.Init(thetwothirds)iswrittentheeffectsofAshgaal. 8.WAHDATULWUJD 9.FAISLAHHAFTEMASALAH 10.GULZ REMARIFAT Thislatterbookisnowknownbythetitle,KulliyaateImdaadiyyah. SomeMiscellaneousEpisodes 1)HadhratMaulanaThanwinarratesthataSufisaid: OurproofforHajiSahibbeingkaamil(spirituallyperfect)isthattheUlamaturntohimin abundance.UsuallytheUlamaopposetheSufiyyah.NowwhentheUlamahavebecomefollowers, whocanoppose? 2)DailyafterthelessonofMathnawiShareefbyHadhratHajiSahib,therewouldbeadua.Hewas asked: Hadhratwhatshouldwemakeduafor? Hereplied:Makeduathatwetooacquirewhatiswritteninit(Mathnawi). 3)OnceintheMusjidofKeraana,apiousbutcherwassittingbyHadhratSahib.Whilesittingthere thethoughtcametohismind:IstherankofHadhratSahibhigherorthatofHadhratHajiSahib? Hadhratimmediatelycommented: ItisdisrespectfultocomparetheranksoftheAhlullah:Whoisbigandwhoissmall?Allahis awarewhoismoremaqbool(accepted)byhim.Agoodopinionshouldbeheldforall.Whatneeddo youhaveforthisinvestigation? 4)HadhratMaulanaMuhibbuddeenWilayatiwasHadhratskhalifah.Hewasamantowhom occurredtheincidenceofkashfinabundance.OncethethoughtcametohimthattheHadith mentionsgreatvirtuesofaNamaazforwhichaperfectwudhuwasmadeandtheNamaazis performedwithouttherebeinganystraythoughtinit.HewasanAalimaswell.Helamentedinhis heart:Alas!MywholelifehaspassedwithoutmeachievingsuchaNamaaz.Letmeatleastmake anattempttoperformsuchaNamaaz.Hewassuccessfulintheattempt.Inviewoftheabundance ofstraythoughtsassaultingthemind,hehadclosedhiseyesduringtheNamaazbecausewithopen eyesgenerallyavarietyofthoughtsentersthemind.Thus,byclosinghiseyeshewasableto concentrateandallthoughtswereblockedout. HethendesiredtoknowoftheformofthatNamaazinAalameMithaal(theSpiritualRealmof Symbols).InhiscontemplationhesawthatNamaazintheformofanextremelybeautifulwomen. Shewasbeautifulineveryrespect.Shehadbeautifuleyestoo.When,howeverhelookedcarefully, hesawthatshewasblind.Hewassurprisedandthaughtofthepossibledefectwhichhadcausedhis Namaaztoassumethisform. Forclearingthedoubt,henarratedthisincidenttoHadhratHajiSahibwithoutexplainingthemethod inwhichhehadperformedtheNamaaz.HehadonlystatedinbriefthattheNamaazhehad

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performedwascompletelydevoidofthoughts.HajiSahibspontaneouslyresponded: Itappearsthatinordertoavoidtheincidenceofthoughtsyouhadclosedyoureyes. Afterhehadconcededthis,Hadhratsaid: SinceitisinconflictwiththeSunnah(i.e.theperformanceofNamaazwithclosedeyes),thedefect wasshowntoyouinthisform.TheNamaazperformedwithopeneyeshasgreateracceptability becauseitconformstotheSunnahregardlessoftheabundanceofstraythoughts. 5)OnceasumofmoneycametotheShareefofMakkah(TheTurkishgovernor),whichwasfor distributionamongtheMuhaajireen(thosewhohadmigratedtoMakkah).HadhratHajiSahibsenta messagetohiminformingthathe(HajiSahib)beingaMuhaajirwasalsoentitledtoashare.In responsethreeannas(threecents)weresentashisshare.AtthattimeMaulanaMuhammadMuneer Nanotwiwasalsopresent.HadhratsaidtoMaulana: Ofwhatbenefitarethreeannastome?Nevertheless,Iconsidereditexpedienttoaskformyshare becausethepeculiarityofthisplaceisthatwhenamanleadsalifeofsomeistighnaa (independence),peoplebegintobecomejealousfornoreasonwhatever.Sinceitismyintentionto livepermanentlyhere,Ichoosetolivehumblytoavoidprojectingtheimageoftheslightestbitof istighnaa. 6)AlabourertoldHadhratthatajinnwasinterferingwithhisdaughter,henceheshouldcome. Hadhratsaidthathewasnotanaamil(thereforehiscomingwouldbeofnoavail).However,onthe insistenceofthelabourer,Hadhratwent.WhenHadhratentered,thejinnmadeSalaamand expressedhisregretandshamebecauseHadhrathadtocome.ThejinnsaidthatifHadhrathadsent apaperwithonlyhisnamewritten,hewouldhaveleft.Hefurtherpromisedneveragaintocauseany difficultytothoserelatedtoHadhratsSilsilah. 7)Onceamanaskedtobeshownawazifah(thikrformula)whichwillenablehimtoseeRasulullah ()inadream.Hadhratsaid: Youhavehighaspirations.Iamnotworthyofgainingthehonourofmakingziyaarat(inadream) ofeventhegraciousDome(overRasulullahsGrave). 8)HajiAbdurRaheemwhowasHadhratsclosekhaadimsaid: OnceblackshoeswerepresentedtoHadhrat.Hadhratgavetheshoestome.Isaid: Thegiftsyoubestowtouskhuddaamareagreattreasureandabarkat.Butpeoplemakegiftsto Hadhratsothatyoumakeusethereof.Therefore,ifHadhratgivesittomeafterhavinguseditfora fewdays,thenItoowillbehonouredandthepeoplewillalsobehappy. However,Hadhratsaid:Go!Youdon'tknow. WhenIpressedhimforanexplanation,Hadhratsaid: FromthetimeIsawtheblackghilaaf(cloth)oftheKabah,Ilackthecouragetowearblackshoes. ThethoughtoftheKabahscolourandmyfeetcometomind.Similarly,Isawthegreencurtainsof RasulullahsRaudahAthar(ThePurestGrave),Irefrainedfromwearingshoesofgreencloth. 9)HajiAbdurRaheemalsosaid: IservedHadhratforages,duringthenightandday.IneversawHadhratstretchingouthislegs whensleeping.Hislegswouldalwaysbedrawnin.AtfirstInevertooknoticeofthis.Butaftera considerabletimeinwhichheneverevenoccasionallystretchedhislegs,Irealisedthathisstyleof sleepingwasbydeliberatedesign.FinallyIaskedhimforthereason,sayingthattherecanhardlybe anysleeporcomfortinthatposition.Hadhratsaid:Simpleton!Goandwanderaroundwithcomfort. DontyouknowthatitisdisrespectfultostretchyourlegsinthepresenceofyourMahboob

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(Beloved)? 10)SomeonefakedaletterinHadhratsnameandsucceededinobtainingsomemoneyonitsbasis fromawealthyperson.AmaninformedHadhratandadvisedhimtoadmonishthepersonwhohad fraudedtheletterinHadhratsname.Hadhratresponded: Brother!IhavebeenunabletopassonDeenibenefittoanyone.Ifsomeonecanacquirethecarrion ofthisworldthroughmyagency,IfeelashamedofmyselfinAllahspresenceforbeingniggardlyin eventhisrespect. 11)OnceamanfromHindustansentsomemoneyasagiftforHadhratviatheagencyofatraderin MakkahMuazzamah.ThetradersentamessageinformingHadhratofthearrivalofthemoney.His messagehadalsorequestedHadhrattosendsomeonetocollectthemoneyfromtheshop.Withgreat istighnaa(independence),Hadhratresponded: IhavenotaskedformoneyfromHindustannorwillIsendformoneytotheshop.TheAllahWho hasdeliveredthemoneyfromHindustantoMakkahMuazzamahwilldeliveritfromtheshopto me. Thetraderfelthighlyashamedofhimselfandimmediatelysentthemoney. 12)WhenHadhratwasoncesickandalone,othersheardhimlaughingloudly.Theyweresurprised tohearhimlaughinsolitude,allbyhimself.Sometimethereafter,whenhewaswell,hewasasked forthereasonofthelaughterofthatoccasion.Hadhratresponded: IexperiencedsomuchpleasureinmyillnessthatIlaugheduncontrollably. 13)Hadhratsaid: Everypersonseesmeinadifferentcolour(accordingtohisunderstanding)whileinfactIhaveno colour.Iamlikewaterwhichappearstohavethecolourofthebottleinwhichitisfilled. 14)Straythoughts(inSalaat)whichagitatepeople,andrefusetodisappear,shouldnotbeactively combated.Rathersay:AllahuAkbar!HowwonderfulisthepowerofAllah.Hehascreatedsucha constantstreamofthoughtswhichcannotbeeliminated.ThismethodissuitablefortheSaalik. BecomeengrossedinthecontemplationofAllahsQudrat. 15)RegardingtheHadith:Gheebatisworsethanzina.,Hadhratcommented: Zinaisahumiliatingsinoflustwhilegheebatisasinmotivatedbypride.Kibr(prideisworsethan shahwat(lust). HadhratAqdasThanwifurthercommented: SuchsubtletiesarefoundbyourSeniors. 16)Oncesomeonesaid:Whateverspiritualbenefithasbeenachieved,wasbyvirtueofHadhrats barkat.Hadhratresponded:Whateverhasbeengained,isinfact,inyou.But,youshouldthinkthat thebenefithasbeengainedfromtheShaikhotherwiseyouwillsufferharm. 17)Hadhratsaid: AllahTaalabestowsatonguetosomeofhisservantswhoarenotacademicallyspeakingUlama. Thus,thetonguebestowedtoHadhratShamsTabrezwasMaulanaRmiwhohadelaboratedthe Uloom(Knowledge)ofHadhratShamsTabrezingreatdetail.InthesamewayIhavereceivedasa tongueMaulanaMuhammadQasimNanotwi.

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18)Hadhratwouldsay: Idontwanttomakeanyonemyservant.IdesiretotransformpeopleintoAllahsservants. Hadhratwouldpubliclyannounce: IhavepresentedwhateverIhad.Noweveryonehasmypermissiontogoanywherewheretheyfeel theMaqsad(Purpose)isattainable.Iamnottyinganyonetomyself. 19)OnceHadhratsaid: Iamtiredofbeingtheonefollowedbypeople.ItakeoathbyAllahandsaythatmyheartdesires thatpeoplebrandmeahereticandaninfidelandabandonmesothatIcouldbefreetoengross myselfwithmyMahboob.Yourconfidenceinmehasruinedmytime. 20)Hadhratsaid: ItisbetterforthehearttobeinMakkahMuazzamahandthebodyinHindustanthanthebodyin MakkahMuazzamahandtheheartinHindustan. 21)ThereisnobarkatinthetaleemofaShaikhwhohimselfdoesnotpractiseeventhoughhemay notbeinneedthereof.But,heshouldengageinsomethikrandshaghlwiththeintentionof receiving(spiritualbenefit)sothathemaypassitontoothers.Ifhedoesnotreceive,hewillnotbe abletogive. 22)Whenamancomplainedofnotrealisinganybenefitofhisthikr,Hadhratsaid: Isyourconstancyinthikrslightbenefit?Youhavebeengiventhetaufeeqofengaginginthikr. (Thisbyitselfisagreatbenefit.) 23)Hadhratsaid: Evenifyouaredoinganact(ofgoodness)forthesakeofriyaa(show),dontabandonit.While initiallyitwillberiyaa,later(byconstancy)itwillbetransformedintoaadat(habit).Ultimately,the aadatwillbecomeibaadat. 24)DrinkcoldwatersothatAlhamdulillah!,emanatesfromtheinnermostrecessesoftheheart. 25)Itakeonmureedswiththisintention:IfmercyisbestowedtotheShaikh,hewilltakethe mureedsalongwithhimtoJannat,andifmercyisthelotofthemureeds,theywilldragtheirShaikh toJannat. 26)Iregardthosewhocometomeasthemediumofmysalvation. 27)Adurwaishasked:Hadhratwhenthemindfailstoconcentrate(inNamaaz),ofwhatbenefitare the(external)movementsofgettingupandsitting? Hadhratresponded: Thevalueofthisgettingupandsittingwillbeappreciatedthere(i.e.inQiyaamah).Infact,these movementsareeverything.IfAllahTaalagrantsthetaufeeqfortheseactions,theyconstitutea valuabletreasureevenwithoutconcentration. 28)RegardingonesShaikh,oneshouldholdthebeliefthatamongthoseMashaikhwhoareliving, oneisunabletofindaShaikhwhoismorebeneficialthanonesShaikhforonesownislah. 29)WhenanymureedaskedHadhratwhetherheshouldrenouncetheworld,he(Hadhrat)would

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say: Ifthedunya(world)ishalaal,dontabandonitofyourownaccord.EngageintheNameofAllah (i.e.Thikrullah).WhenHisNamebecomesdominantinaperson,thedunyaitselfwillabandonone. 30)Hadhratsaid: IdisliketakingservicefromthreetypesofpersonsanAalim,aSayyidandanoldman. 31)Hesaid: Thesearchforfamefrompeopleisreprehensibletoall.But,accordingtotheMuhaqqiqeen(the Auliya),thequestforfamefromevenAllahTaalaisdislikeablebecauseinsuchaquestthereisa degreeofpersonalvanity,hencethefeelingofworthinesswhichmakesonefeelthatoneisholding someloftyrankbyAllah.ThisattitudeisinnegationofAbdiyat(beingaslaveofAllah).Abdiyatis lowlinessandhumility. 32)HafizAbdurRaheemThanwinarratesthatHadhratHajiSahibsaid: Idonotrefusebayttoanyoneforthefearofhimbecomingentrappedintheclutchesofsome Bidati.Then,AllahTaalamayapprehendmeanddemand: Hehadcometoyou.Whydidyourejecthim?Onaccountofyourrejectionhebecameensnared. 33)Hadhratsaid: Thesearcheroftheworldshouldbecometherenounceroftheworld. Elaboratingthisstatement,HadhratThanwisaid: Theworldcannotbeacquiredbyhankeringafterit.Thewayofitsacquisitionistoshunit.Hewill thengainit. 34)Hadhratsaid: Thebasisofunityistawaadhu(humility).Thosewhohavehumility,willenjoyunity. 35)OnceHadhratsaid: Therecametwostudentstome.TheoneclaimedthatthereisnoSalaatwithoutconcentration whichistheapparentmeaningoftheHadith: (ThereisnoSalaatexceptwiththepresenceoftheheart.) TheotherstudentcounteredwiththesayingofHadhratUmar(radhiyallahuanhu): (IorganisemyarmywhileIaminSalaat.) WhocanclaimthatHadhratUmarsSalaatisdefectivedespitethelackofconcentration?Most certainly,thinkingofthearmyandpreparingitwhileperformingSalaatisobviouslynegatoryofthe presenceoftheheartinSalaat.Itthereforefollowsthatpresenceofmind(orconcentration)isnot amongtheessentialsoftheperfectionofSalaat.Theotherstudentwasunabletoeffectivelyanswer thisexplanation.ItoldthemthatHadhratUmarspreparationofthearmyisnotnegatoryof hudhooreqalb(presenceofheart).Onthecontrary,itisinfacthudhooreqalb.Whenakinghas assignedaranktoapersonandimposesonhimadutythenwhenheispresentintheroyalcourt,the perfectstateofhisproximitytothekingisforhimtopresentareportofhisassignmentsandawait furtherdirectives.Similarly,therankofkhilaafatewasbestowedtohimbyAllahTaala.Thetimeof SalaatisthetimeofpresenceintheDivineCourt.Atthisjuncture,forhimtohavesoughtAllahs

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counselanddirectiveregardingthedutiesentrustedtohim,isinfact,hudhooreqalb.Thus,Hadhrat Umarsinvolvementinthedutyofpreparingthearmywasbyilhaam(inspiration)fromAllah Taala.ItisbaselessanderroneoustocompareHadhratUmarsilhaamwithourwasaawis(shaitaani thoughts).Suchthoughtsarebud(remoteness,i.e.beingfarfromAllah)whilehisinspirational cognitionwasqurb(DivineProximity). Thisexplanationsatisfiedbothstudents.Afterwritingthisepisode,HadhratAqdasThanwi commented: Subhaanallah!InwhatasimpleandclearwayhasHadhrateliminatedtheconflict!Truly, customaryknowledgeismereworshipofwords.Comprehensionofthemeaningsandrecognition oftherealitiesarethecapitalofonlythesesages. 36)WheneverHajiSahibwoulddiscussaquestionofHaqaaiq(spiritualrealities)inthepresenceof Ulama,hewouldsay: Brothers,Iamunaware.YouaretheUlama.Ihaveexplainedwhateverhascrossedmyheart.If thereisanythinginconflictwiththeKitaab(Quraan)andSunnah,dontbeinhibited.Informme. OntheDayofQiyaamahIshallsay: Ihadtoldthem,buttheyhadnotinformedme. 37)HadhratHajiSahibwouldoccasionallysay: Mykhulafaaareoftwokinds.TheonekindconsistsofthosetowhomIgaveIjaazat(Permission) totakebayt(i.e.toinitiatemureedsintotheSilsilah).ThisIjaazatIgavewithouttheirrequesting.In reality,theyarethetruekhulafaa.Thesecondtypeconsistsofthosewhothemselvesrequestedto showotherstheNameofAllah(i.e.waysofthikr).OntheirrequestIgrantedthemIjaazat.This latterIjaazatisnotlikethefirstkind(inquality). HisKhulafaa ThosewhoacquiredkhilaafateandijaazatfromthecourtofHajiSahibarethefollowing: ImaameRabbaniHadhratMaulanaRashidAhmadGangohi,HadhratMaulanaMuhammadQasim Nanotwi,HadhratHakimulUmmatMaulanaShahAshrafAliThanwi,MaulanaAhmadHasan Amrohi,MaulanaMuhyuddinKhatir,MaulanaJaleelAhmad,HajiSayyidMuhammadDeobandi, MaulanaManthrAhmad,MaulanaNrMuhammadandMaulanaAbdulWahidBengali. SincetheauspiciousnameofImaameRabbaniHadhratMaulanaRashidAhmadGangohiappears inourShajarah,hewillnowbethesubjectofdiscussion.

HADHRATAQDASMAULANARASHID AHMADGANGOHI(rahmatullahalayh)
SouthwestofSahaaranprisatownknownasGangoh.AllahTaalahasblessedthistownwiththree Akaabir(Seniors)oftheSilsilah.Twoofthemhavealreadybeendiscussed,namely,HadhratShah AbdulQuddsandHadhratShahAbuSaeed.ThethirdillustriouspersonalityisHadhratImaan Rabbani.AtoneandthesametimehewasanAalimoftheDeen,anAuthorityoftheShariatand Tariqat,anAashiq(Lover)oftheNabiandastaunchfolloweroftheSunnah.Heisthatnoblesoul whohasbeendesignatedImaamRabbanibyhisardentdevotees.

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HisnamewasRashidAhmad.HadhratImaamRabbaniwasbornonSunday6thThilQadh1244 Hijri(1829)atthetimeofChaasht(about2or3hoursbeforemidday)inGangoh.Hisfather, MaulanaAhmadSahibdiedintheyear1252attheageof35years.ImaamRabbanisageatthetime was7years.Afterthedemiseofhisfather,Hadhratwastakencareofandtrainedbyhisgrandfather. BirthonaSundayandbeingorphanedinearlychildhoodaretwofeaturesofRasulullahs( )lifewhichAllahTaalabestowedtoImaamRabbani. HisveryfirstUstaadwasMianjiQutubBakhshGangohi.EvenduringearlychildhoodhisUstaad spokeglowinglyofhisintelligenceandalertness.ItwasthehabitofMianjiQutubtosmellthe mouthsofhispupilsandquestionthemofthefoodtheyhadate.Whenthepupilsinformedhim,he wouldsay:Youatealone.Whydidyounotbringanythingforme? Inviewofthishabit,HadhratImaamRabbanihadadoptedthepractiseofbringingalonghisfood. Hewouldnoteatofit.RatherhewouldpresentittohisUstaad.Forseveraldaysthehousefolkwere unawareofthissacrifice.However,afterafewdayswhentheyobservedoilymarksonhisclothes, theyadmonishedhimanddemandedanexplanation.Inthiswaytheylearntofhissacrifice.Thiswas theeffectofthatgoodfortuneandthatabilitytosacrificewhichwerenaturallyendowedtohim. Hewouldoccasionallysaythatitwasineitherhis4thor5thyearwhenhismothergavehimandhis elderbrother,MolviInayatAhmadsomemilktodrink.Hecontinues: Iinsistedthatthequantityofmilkbeincreased.Myelderbrotherdidnotviewmyinsistencewith favour.Mybrother,afterdrinkinghisshare,drankmysharetoo.Ithenrealisedthattheoutcomeof obstinacyisdeprivation. IthasnotbeenestablishedwhereHadhrathadlearnttheQuraanMajeed.Probablyhelearntitfrom hismotherathome.InthosetimesthefemalesofthenobilitywerefullyversedintheQuraan MajeedandknowledgeoftheShariat.HestudiedFarsibyhismaternaluncle,MaulanaMuhammad TaqiinKarnaal.PartofhisFarsiwasalsolearntunderMolviMuhammadGauth.Hestudiedthe primarytextbooksofArabicgrammarbyMolviMuhammadBakhshRampri.Onhis encouragement,HadhratwentinthepursuitoffurtherknowledgetoDelhiin1261.Atthistimehe was17. InDelhihejoinedtheclassesofdifferentUstaads.However,hewasnotsatisfiedtostayinanyplace here.ByasheergoodcoincidenceandtheQudratofAllahTaala,theUstaadofallsubjects,Hadhrat MaulanaMamlkAliwasreturningfromhisHijaaz(Arabia)tripandonhiswaytoNaanotah,passed byDelhi.Theholidayswereabouttoend,hencehebroughtalongHadhratMaulanaMuhammad QasimNanotwiforpursuingknowledgeinDelhi. ImamRabbaniwhohadnotyetcommencedhisstudiessystematicallybecauseofhisinabilityto settledown,arrivedbyMaulanaMamlkAli.Thus,HadhratImaamRabbaniacquiredhisUloom eZaahiriyyahundertheguidanceofoneUstaad.HestudiedtheKitaab,SadraaShamseBaazigah byMaulanaMamlkAliinthesamewayasaHafizteachestheQuraan.Hestayedafewyearsin Delhiuntilhehadaccomplishedhisacademicpursuit. HisotherUstaadsinthephilosophicalbranchesareMaulanaMuftiSadruddinandQadhi Ahmaduddin.HisUstaadinHadithwasMaulanaShahAbdulGhaniNaqshabandi.Heengrossed himselfsothoroughlyintheacquisitionofknowledgethathedevotedonlysevenhourstoallhis needssuchaseating,sleeping,etc.(Thismeansthat17hoursdailyweredevotedtostudies).

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Aftercompletionofhisstudies,hereturnedhomeattheageofabout21.Fortheentiredurationof hisstayinDelhi,hehadmadehisownfoodarrangements.Heneverimposedonanyone.Every month3rupeesweresentfromhome.Thiswouldsufficeforallhisneeds. NowhebeganteachinginGangoh.Hetaughtavarietyofsubjects.Thisoccupationcontinueduntil theendof1300Hijri.From1301hispreoccupationwasonlywithHadith.Healonewouldteachall sixkitaabsofSihahSittah(ThesixauthenticbooksofHadith).Hadithlessonswouldcommence duringthemonthofShawwaal.ByShabaanallsixbookswouldbecompleted. ImaamRabbanihimselfhadexplainedmanytimeshisinitiationintoSulook.Hesaid: WhenMaulanaMuhammadQasimandIwerestudyinginDelhi,weintendedtostudythekitaab, Sullam.ButinviewoftheheavyengagementofHadhratUstaaditwasdecidedthatthekitaab (Sullam)wouldbetaughtonlytwiceaweek.OncewhilethelessonofSullamwasinprogress,a manwithagreenlungioverhisshouldersentered.SpontaneouslyHadhratUstaadtogetherwithall thekhuddaamstoodupandgreatlyhonouredtheman.HadhratUstaadthensaid: Rashid,thelessonwillcontinueanotherday. Ilamentedmuchthelossofthatdayslesson.IsaidtoMolviMuhammadQasim(withsome sarcasm): ThisissomegoodHaji.Ourlessonislost. MolviMuhammadQasimresponded:Dontspeaklikethat.Heisabuzrugandamongthechosen ones. Afterhavingnarratedthisincident,HadhratImaamRabbanisaid:Littledidweknowthatitwould bethisselfsameHajiwhowouldguideus.Healsosaid: DuringmystudentdaysonaccountofstudyingHadith,Iremainedforaconsiderabletimeinthe serviceofHadhratAbdulGhaniMuhajireMadani.I,therefore,repeatedlyresolvedtobecomebayt tohim,buteverytimeMaulanaNanotwiwouldputmeoffsayingthatweshouldmakebaytwith HadhratImdad. Thereafter,hisrelationshipandaffectionforHajiSahibwentonincreasinguntilhebecamewholly dedicatedtoHajiSahib,culminatinginbaytonhishandsoftruth.Theepisodeofhisinitiationisas follows: ImaamRabbaniwenttoThaanabovantodiscussanissuewithHadhratMaulanaShaikhMuhammad Thanwi.Beforeengaginginthediscussion,hewenttovisitHadhratHajiSahib.Onhisarrivalhe foundHadhratHajiSahibengagingintilaawatoftheQuraanMajeed.ThiswasHadhratGangohis fifthmeetingwithHadhratHajiSahib.HajiSahibmethimmostaffectionately,askinghimthe reasonforcoming.HadhratGangohisaidthathehadcomewiththeintentionofdebatingwith MaulanaShaikhMuhammad.HajiSahibsaid: Oh!Oh!Dontintendso.Heisourbuzrug. HadhratGangohisaid:Ifheisyoursenior,thenheismysenioraswell. Thereafter,findinganopportunity,HadhratGangohirequestedtobecomebayt.Inordertotesthis eagerness,HajiSahibrefused.However,theloveforHajiSahibwasfirmlyembeddedinhisheart, henceinspiteoftherefusal,HadhratGangohisresolvedidnotslacken.AftertwoofthreedaysHaji Sahibinitiatedhim(i.e.HadhratGangohibecamebayttoHajiSahib).Atthetimeofbayt,Hadhrat
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GangohitoldHajiSahibthathewasunabletopractisethikrandshaghl,mujaahadahandriyaadhat, norcouldhestayawakeatnight.HajiSahibsmiledandsaid: Good!Itdoesnotmatter. OneofHadhratImaamRabbaniscloseassociatesthenasked:Hadhrat,whathappenedthen? ImaamRabbanireplied:Then,deathandannihilationhappened. Twoorthreedaysthereafter,HajiSahibinstructedhimrecitetheThikrformulaknownasBaarah Tasbeeh. AccordingtothisusualpractiseHadhratHajiSahibgotupatnightforTahajjud.Afterwudhuhe wentintotheMusjid.ImaamRabbanialsowokeup,madewudhuandperformedTahajjudand engagedinthikrinanothercorneroftheMusjid.Hewasyoungatthetimeandhemadethethikr enthusiasticallyandforcefully.InthemorningHadhratHajiSahibsaid: Youmadethikrlikeanexpert. ImaamRabbanisaidthatfromthatdayonwardshewasinlovewithThikr. Aweekafterbayt,HadhratHajiSahibsaid: MolviRashidAhmad!TheNimat(Bounty)whichAllahTaalahasbestowedtome,Ihavegivenit toyou.Infuture,itisyourdutytoincreaseit. ImaamRabbaniwouldoccasionallycomment: Thisstatement(ofHajiSahib)atthattimegreatlysurprisedme.Whatdidhegiveme?Finallyafter 15yearsIunderstoodwhatitwashehadgiven. Afterastayof22days,heleftenrichedwithbaatinitreasuresandroohaaniwealthfrom Thaanabovan.AtthetimeofseeingImaamRabbanioff,HadhratHajiSahibheldhishandandin privacysaid: Ifanyonerequestyoutoaccepttheminbayt,doso. HadhratGangohireplied:Whowillaskme? HajiSahibresponded:DoasIsay. AfterleavingThaanabovan,ImaamRabbaniarrivedatGangoh.OnreachingGangohastateof enthusiasmandspiritualecstasyhadsettledoverhim.Regardingthiscondition,Hadhratscousin, MaulanaAbunNasrsays: AfterreturningfromThaanabovan,Hadhratstayedatmyhome.Atmidnighthewouldwakeupand setoffstraighttotheMusjid.Iwouldfollowhimatadistance.WhenHadhratengagedinThikrBil Jahr,itseemedasifthewholeMusjidwasshuddering.Onlyheknowsthestatewhichmusthave settledoverhim. Afterhavingacquiredthekhilaafate,Hadhratshumilityandcryingincreasedconsiderably.Entire nightswouldpasswithhimsobbing.Hismotherhadmadeforhimagreenshawlforcoveringhim

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whenhegoestotheMusjidinthecoldnights.Hewouldwipetheconstantflowoftearswiththe shawl.Soontheshawlscolourchangedasaresultoftheprofusemoistureofhistears. OncewhileinThaanabovan,HadhratHajiSahibsubjectedHadhratGangohitoatesttoascertainhis degreeofpatience,toleranceandselfcontrol.ImaamRabbaniexplainingthistestsaid: IhadstayedafewdaysinThaanabovan.Idetesttoimposetheburdenofprovidingmyfoodon Hadhrat.Ialsothoughtthattomakearrangementselsewherewouldbebothdifficultanddetestable. I,thereforesoughtpermissiontoleave,butHadhratdeclinedandtoldmetostayanotherfewdays.I wassilent.AlthoughIhadresolvedtostaytheextrafewdays,Ialsodecidedtomakemyownfood arrangements.Afterashortwhile,Hadhratsaid,justbeforegoinghome: RashidAhmad,don'tworryaboutfood.Eatwithme. IntheafternoonwhenthefoodcamefromHadhratshome,oneplatecontainedverydelicious kebaab.Theotherplatecontainedaninferiortypeofgravy.Afterwesatdowntoeat,Hadhratkept thekebaabfarfromme.AtthatjunctureHadhratHafizMuhammadZaminSahibentered.Seeing this,hesaidtoHadhratHajiSahib:Brother,itisdifficultforRashidAhmadtostretchhishandso far.Whydontyouputtheplateneartohim? HadhratHajiSahibsaidsharply: HeshouldbegratefulthatIamatleastallowinghimtoeatwithme.Infact,Ihadintendedtogive himapieceofbreadinhishandtoeatelsewhere. Whilemakingthiscomment,HadhratHajiSahibwaslookingatmetodetectanychangeinmy expression.But,Alhumdulillah!Therewasnoaffectonmyheart.IacceptedthatwhateverHaji Sahibhadsaid,wasthetruth.Infact,togetapieceofbreadfromhisroyalcourtisagreatfavour, regardlessofthewayitisobtained.ThereafterHadhratneveragainputmetotest.ThereforeIknow nothing. HadhratHajiImdadullahhadwrittentoImaamRabbanienquiringabouthiscondition.Inresponse, HadhratGangohiwrotealetterwhichhasbeenprintedinMakaateebeRashidiyyah.Theletteris reproducedhere. Omyrefugeofbothworlds!Youhaverequestedinformationaboutthehaalaatofthisuselessone. WhatcanthisnonentitypresentofhisinsignificantconditionsinthepresenceoftheFountainof excellenceandperfection?(ThisisareferencetoHadhratHajiSahib).ByAllah!Iamhighly ashamed.Iamnothing.ButonaccountofHadhratsinstruction,Iamconstrainedtowrite something,HadhratMurshid!Regardingthecondition(haal)ofIlmeZaahiri,intheperiodof approximatelymorethansevenyearssinceIhavedepartedfromyouraugustpresence,untilthis year,morethan200havequalifiedinHadith.Themajorityofthemhaveinitiateddars(the professionofimpartingDeeniKnowledge)andtheyareactiveintherevivaloftheSunnah.They havebeenresponsibleforthedisseminationoftheDeen.Thereisnogreaterhonourthanthishonour ifitisaccordedDivineacceptance. Inanutshell,thefruitofmypresenceinHadhratsserviceisthatmyheartisnotconcernedwith eitherbenefitorharmfromanyonebesidesAllahTaala.Wallah!SometimesIamseparatedfrom myMashaikh,henceIamnotconcernedwiththepraiseorcriticismofanyone.Iregardboththe onewhopraisesmeandtheonewhocriticisesmetobedistantfromme. Ihavedevelopedanaturaldislikeforsinandanaturalinclinationforobedience.Thiseffectisdue solelytothatrelationship(nisbat)whichhasreachedmefromthespiritualeffulgenceofHadhrat.

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Tosaymorewillbedisrespectful.MayAllahforgivethatIbealiar,forIhavewrittenonthe instructionofHadhrat.InrealityIamnothing.ItisonlyYourshadowonlyYourexistence.What amI?Iamnothing.OnlyHeis.Youandmeareshirkuponshirk.Astaghfirullah!Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah!Walahaulawalaquwwataillabillah.Kindlyabsolvemefromsayingmore. Wasalaam.1306Hijri.

TheHajjJourney
WhenAbdulHaqSahibRamprihaddecidedtogoforHajj,heinvitedHadhratImaamRabbanito accompanyhim.Consideringthisadivinegift,Hadhrathappilyacceptedandexpressedhisprofound gratitudetoAllahTaala.Inthebeginningof1280Hijrihedepartedonthejourney.Onthisjourney werealsoHakimZiyauddin,HafizWahiuddin,HajiAlauddin,HajiMuhammadYusufandHadhrats maternalcousin,MaulanaAbunNasr. InMakkahMuazzamah,HadhratHajiImdadullahreceivedthemwithtremendousaffectionand showeredhisloveandhospitalityonthem.AslongastheywereinMakkah,theyremainedHaji Sahibsguests.InMina,MuzdalifahandArafaat,HadhratHajiSahibscamelwasalwaysalongside HadhratGangohiscamel. DuringhisstayinMakkahMuazzamah,ImaamRabbanisawinadreamacaravanofAhleKhidmat onthemove.Inhisdreamhemadethisdua: OAllah!Joinmewiththem. Aftermakingthisdua,heranafterthemandlinkedupwiththem.Inthemorningwhenhenarrated hisdreamtoHadhratHajiSahib,he(HajiSahib)smiledandsaid:Whatelsedoyoudesire?You havealreadylinkedup. AlsoduringhisstayinMakkahMuazzamahhedevelopedarash.Initiallyitwasadryrash.Laterit becamewatery.Heembarkedonboardashipforthereturnvoyageinthiscondition.Onboard,his conditionbecameextremelybad.Hecontractedsuchaseverefeverthatheremainedunconscious forthreedays.Hesufferedextremediarrhoea.Duringhislengthyillness,hewascaredforbyhis maternalcousin,MaulanaAbunNasr.Healonegainedthelimitlessthawaabforhisunflinchingand devotedservicetoHadhrat.Frequently,ImaamRabbaniwouldsayabouthim: EvenabloodbrotherisunabletodowhatAbunNasrhaddoneforme.Hetendedtomelikea lovingmother Ontheseventhday,theshipdockedatBombay.Thesicknesshadbecomesodeeplyrootedduring thistimethattherewasabsolutelynochangeinHadhratscondition.Aftertreatmentbydifferent peopleinBombay,thereappearedaslightimprovement,butnothingsatisfactory.Duringthis durationhewouldlapseintoconvulsions.Hisalreadyweakenedbodysufferedfurther.Hislast physicianwasHakimMuhammadAzamKhan,theauthorofIkseereAzam.AtthattimeHakim SahibwaslivinginIndoreasthephysiciantotheRaja,earningamonthlysalaryof1000rupees. HakimSahibcametotheplacewhereHadhratwasstayingandafteraverythoroughexamination, treatmentcommenced.FromtheverynextdayanimprovementinHadhratsconditionwas perceivable.HakimSahibwoulddailyvisitHadhrat,withoutanymotiveofmonetaryconsideration.

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Hewouldcomeonfoot.GraduallyHadhratsconditionimprovedalthoughhewasunabletosit. HakimSahibnowbeingconfidentofrecoveryadvisedthatHadhratbetakenhome.Thus,Maulana AbunNasrarrivedsafelywithHadhratinGangohduringMuharram1282.InGangoh,Hadhrat recoveredcompletely. ImaamRabbaniwentonhissecondHajjin1294Hijri.Thiswasthetimewhenhostilitieshad eruptedbetweenTurkeyandRussia.AmongthepeoplecirculatedtherumourthattheHajjjourney wasmerelyanexcuseandthattheactualpurposeofthetripwastoorganiseanarmyforaJihaad campaigninaidofTurkey.Butthisrumourwasutterlybaseless.Hadhratssoleintentionwastovisit BaitullahandtheCityofRasulullah(.) HeleftfromSahaaranpron12thShawwaalaccompaniedbyalargegroupofUlama.Inthisblessed caravanwerethefollowingillustriousUlama: HadhratMaulanaMuhammadQasimNanotwi,HakimZiyauddin,MaulanaMuhammadMazhar withhiswife,MaulanaMuhammadYaqb,MaulanaRafiuddin,MaulanaMahmdHasan,Maulana HakimMuhammadHasanandMolviMuhammadIsmail. ThegroupconsistedofapproximatelyahundredmemberswhotravelledbytraintoBombay.Along thewayanumberofmiraculouseventstranspiredwiththisholygroup.MolviAzizurRahmanwho isthenephewofImaamRabbaninarratesthatwhenthetrainhaltedatonestation,itwastimefor FajrNamaaz.ImaamRabbanialightedandafterwudhuperformedtworakatsSunnat.Seeingthat hehadresolvedtoperformtheSalaatwithJamaat,almostalltheMuslimscameoutofthetrain, quicklymadewudhuandjoinedtheJamaat.AverylargenumberofpeoplehadjoinedtheNamaaz onthestationplatform.Meanwhile,thewhistleannouncingthetrainsdeparturewassounded.Many peoplebroketheirNamaazandhurriedintothetrain.ButImaamRabbanicontinuedcalmlywiththe Namaaz.TherewasabsolutelynochangeinthemannerinwhichhewasconductingtheNamaaz. Althoughthetrainmadeseveralattemptstomoveahead,itfailed.Afterafull15minutes,Imaam RabbanicompletedtheNamaazandclimbedintothetrain.Ashetookhisseat,thetrainmoved.The 15minutesdelaywasmadegoodbythetrainincreasingspeed.Thiswasaconspicuouskaraamatof ImaamRabbani. Thisgroupstayed22daysinBombayawaitingthearrivaloftheship.But,theshipdidnotarrive. HadhratMaulanaMuhammadYaqbsaid: TodayittranspiredthatMolviMuhammadQasimhasbeenthecauseforthedelayofthewhole group.SeveralofhisassociateshavestilltocomefromMuzaffarnagar.Aslongastheyarenothere, theshipwillnotarrive. Andsoithappened.TheverydaythegrouparrivedfromMuzaffarnagar,HajiQasim,theagent, startedsellingticketsforaGermanshippingcompany.TheverynextdaytheshipleftfromBombay. Ontheeightday,theshipdroppedanchoratAden.AfteradayandanightinAden,theysailedfor Hijaaz.OnthefourteenthdaytheyarrivedatJiddah.AfterastayoffourdaysinJiddah,theylefton 20thThilQadhandreachedMakkahMuazzamahthenextevening. HadhratHajiImdadullahwasalreadyinformedofthecomingofthisparty.Hethereforecamein greatelationtowelcomethem.AsthecaravanenteredallsawHadhratHajiSahibwithagirdle aroundhiswaiststandingatBaabeMakkah(ThePortalofMakkah).ImaamRabbaniimmediately dismountedandembracedHajiSahibwhotooktheentirecaravantohisribaat(lodge)wheretheyall stayed.Inthemorningheinvitedeveryoneformeals.InspiteofImaamRabbanisprotests,saying

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thatthepartywasverylarge,HajiSahibadamantlysaidthathispleasurewasinthewholeparty eatingwithhim. AfterHajj,ImaamRabbanileftwiththewholepartyforMadinahMunawwarahwheretheystayed forabouttwentydaysbeforereturningtoMakkah.AfteramonthsstayinMakkahMukarramah someofHadhratscloseassociatesdecidedthatitwastimetoleave.Butnoonehadthecourageto speaktoHadhratonthisissue.Finally,afewassociateswhowereinneed,approachedHadhratHaji SahibandrequestedhimtoinstructImaamRabbanitoleave.HajiSahibacceptingtheirrequest,said toImaamRabbani: Maulana,althoughmyheartdoesnotwishtoseparatefromyou,yourcompanionshaveverylittle funds.Furthermore,thebenefitwhichthepeopleofHindustangainfromyouisapparent.Ittherefore seemsbestthatnowyouleaveforHindustan. Inobediencetothisinstruction,ImaamRabbanitookleave.TheshipwasabouttosailfromJiddah. Althoughtherewasverylittleplaceavailableonboard,ImaamRabbanidecidedtobuythetickets andleaveimmediately.Hesaid: NowthatMakkahislost,itispointlesslingeringinJiddahthinkingofcomfort. TheshipsailedthatsameeveningandonthethirteenthdaydockedsafelyatBombay.FromBombay theyarrivedsafelyinGangoh. In1299,HadhratGangohimadepreparationsforhisthirdHajj.Everythinghappenedsuddenly. Earlypreparationshadnotbeenmadeandsolittletimewasleftthatmanypeoplethoughtthatthey wouldnotbeabletoparticipateintheHajj. Onthe4thThilQadh,HadhratleftforBombaywherehediscoveredthatalltheHujjaajhadalready left.Onlyahandfulwasseen.Thesefewpersonshadlingeredaroundhopingforsomedevelopment whichcouldopenupawayforthemtogoforHajj.FriendsadvisedthatticketsforJiddahshouldnot bepurchasedasthiswouldbefutile.Extremelylittletimewasleft.Thenewquarantinelawof10 dayscomplicatedthematterfurther.However,ImaamRabbaniwasadamant.Hepurchasedhisticket andboardedtheship. TheshipsailedfromBombayandontheseventhdaydockedatAden.Afterastopofafewhours, theshipsailedforHijaaz.OntheninthdaytheshipdroppedanchorinJiddah.Thepassengers alightedintosmallboatsandwentashore.NoonehereevenknewoftheQuarantinelaw.However, theshipownersencounteredsomeproblemforhavingviolatedthequarantinelaw. TheHajjwasaccomplishedinpeaceandcomfort.ForthethirdtimeImaamRabbanihadthegood fortuneandhonourofmeetingHadhratHajiImdadullah. ThiswasImaamRabbanislastHajj.Thereafter,hefullyengrossedhimselfwithteaching,tarbiyat andtazkiyah(i.e.tendingtothemoralreformationofhismureeds).

HisDemise
TheprocessofteachingZaahiriandBaatiniknowledgecontinueduntiltheendof1313Hijri.Inthe

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beginningof1314helosthissight.ThetimewhichwasformerlydevotedtoUloomeZaahiriyyah was,therefore,nowalsousedforthemoraltrainingofmureeds,i.e.forTazkiyahNufoos. OnFriday,8thJamidithThaani1323HijriatthetimeofJumuahAthaan,HadhratImaamRabbani bidfinalfarewelltothisephemeralphysicalabode.AmongthemanybountiesofAllahTaala conferredonhim,wasalsothefavourofShahaadat(martyrdom).Hediedasaresultofhavingbeen bittenbyahighlyvenomoussnake.ByvirtueofhistotalabsorptioninTahajjudNamaaz,hewas evenunawareofthesnakebite.InthemorninglightwhenhewentforFajrNamaaz,hiskhuddaam observedhisfootandlowerpartofthetrouserssoakedinblood.OnlythenHadhratbecameaware. Afterhurriedlychanging,heledtheNamaaz. Regardingthesnakebite,Hadhratcommented: IneverfeltanythingbitingmenordoIfeelanypainnow. Theincidentofthesnakebiteoccurredonthe12thor13thJamaadilUla1323andhediedonthe8th or9thJamaadithThaani1323attheageof78years,7monthsand3days.Thus,intermsofthe Hadithwhichstatesthatdeathbypoisonisshahaadat,Hadhratdiedamartyr. HadhratMaulanaMahmdulHasanShaikhulHindperformedtheJanaazahSalaat.Somepeople suspectedtheperpetrationofsahr(magic)onHadhrat.Everykindofmedicaltreatmentwasresorted to,butwhenthetimecomestodepart,thereisnodelay.MayAllahTaalaelevatehisstatus,brighten hisrestingplaceandconfirmusashisfollowers.And,thatisnotdifficultuponAllah. Sixdayspriortohisdemise,HadhratwaswaitinginanticipationofFriday.OnSaturdayheasked: IsitJumuahtoday? Insurprise,thekhuddaamsaidthatitwasSaturday.ThereafteragainbeforeFriday,heseveraltimes askedthesamequestion.EveninthemorningofFriday,thedayhedied,heaskedifitwasJumuah. WhenitwassaidthattodayisFriday,heresponded:

AfewdaysafterreceivingthenewsofthedemiseofHadhratHajiImdadullah,acompanionofhis sawinadreamHajiSahibcomingtoDeoband.Hisfaceshonelikethesun.Hesaid: IhavealreadydiedandIhavecometotakeMolviRashidAhmad.Bythe20thThilHajjIshalltake him. Sincerefriendswereperturbedbythisdream.TheyreportedthedreamtoHadhratGangohiwho allayedtheirfearsbyaninterpretationofthedream.Nevertheless,hemanyatimesaid: Aninterpretationafterallisaninterpretation.Insuchalongtimeamancandiemanytimes. Sometimeshewouldsaywithmuchpleasure: WhenHadhratcomestofetchme,mostcertainlyhewilltakemebeautifully. InoneofthevillagesinthedistrictofSurat,therewasanImaamoftheMusjid,whosenameis SulaimanMia.Hedreamtthattwobuzrugswiththeholiestcountenanceweresittingonathrone.
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Anothermanwasstandingbelowthethrone.SulaimanMiaaskedthisman:Whoarethesegreat people?Hereplied:ThegreatoneisRasulullah()andtheotherisMaulanaRashid Ahmad,theShaikhofMolviAhmadBuzrug,formerprincipaloftheDhabelMadrasah. SulaimanMianarratedhisdreamtoMolviAhmadwhoasked:Whendidyouseethisdream? Afterreflecting,hesaid:Eitheronthe8thor9thofJamaadithThaani.ThiswasthedateofImaam Rabbanisdeath.

MiscellaneousAnecdotes
1)Amancamewiththeintentionofbayt.Hadhratsaid: Tellme,willyoumaketaubahorbeafaqir? Hereplied:Iamnotmakingtaubah.Ishallbecomeafaqir.Hadhratsaid: Ifyouwillmaketaubah,Ishallassistyouinit.But,Imyselfamnotafaqir,howcanImakeyoua faqir? Themanresponded: ThenIshallgotosomeoneelse. 2)OnceHadhratMaulanaMuhammadYaqb,thesonofHadhratMaulanaMamlkAli(Hadhrats Ustaad)cametoGangoh.AsrJamaatwasreadytobegin.HadhratGangohibeckonedtoMaulana YaqbtoleadtheNamaaz.WhenMaulanabeganwalkingtotheMusalla,HadhratGangohistartedto wipewithhisshawlthedustandsandwhichhadcollectedonthefeetofMaulanaYaqbwhohad walkedonfoottoGangoh.MaulanaremainedstandingsilentlyallowingMaulanaGangohitoclean hisfeet. 3)AcertainmanhadannoyedandhurtthefeelingsofHadhratImaamRabbani.HadhratMaulana KhalilAhmadfearingthepossibilityofHadhratcursingtheman,said: Hadhrat,pleasedonotcursehim. HadhratGangohiwasovercomewithfearandsaid: Taubah!Taubah!DoesoneevercurseaMuslim?Astagfirullah! 4)Hadhratsaid: IfinonegatheringalltheAuliyahavegatheredincludingHadhratJunaidBaghdadiandour HadhratHajiSahibalsohappenstobethere,thenweshallnotturnourattentiontoHadhratJunaid Baghdadioranyoneelse.WewillgotoHadhratHajiSahib.Yes,HadhratHajiSahibshouldturnhis attentiontothem.OurconcerniswithonlyHadhratHajiSahib. 5)InAmbhetawasamanbythename,MunshiTajammulHusain.HewasamureedofHadhratHaji Sahib.Heusedtomeetoftenwithdervishes,goinghitherandthither.Oncehiswifecomplained abouthimtoHadhratGangohiwhoaskedhimforanexplanation.Hesaid: Undoubtedly,nooneisasperfectasourHadhrat.BythefadhlofAllah,everythingisfound. However,Idesirethatmyheartbeginstovibrate,henceIwanderhitherandthither. HadhratGangohisaid:Whatisthereinit? MunshiHusainsaid:Iamfullyawarethatinit(i.e.inthiscondition)thereisnothing.But,what

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canIdo?Myheartyearnsforit. Hadhratsaid:NowgoandsitintheMusjid. Hecompliedwiththeinstruction.HadhratmadewudhuandwalkedtowardstheMusjid.AsMunshi HusainheardthesoundofHadhratsclogs,hisheartflaredintooperation(i.e.intocontinuousthikr). (ThewordclogshasbeenusedforlackofanEnglishtermforthewoodensandalsusedforwudhu. Translator). MunshiHusainranandfellatHadhratsfeetandsaid:IhavegainedwhatIhaddesired.NowIshall nolongersearchforanyone.Thereafterheabandonedhisrestlesswanderings. 6)OnceQadhiIsmailManglorisaidtoHadhratGangohi: Hadhrat,occasionallydofocustawajjuhontheTaalibeen(SearchersofAllahsProximity). Hadhratresponded: WhyshouldIperformlikeyogis? QadhiIsmailwassurprisedbythisanswerwhichhadlikenedthepracticeoftheMashaikhtotheact ofyogis.ThereafterattheJalsahinDeoband,HadhratGangohideliveredawaz(lecture).Qadhi Ismailwasalsopresent.TheeffectofHadhratslecturewasprofoundontheassembly.Peoplecried andsobbed.Someswoonedandfainted.Afterthewaz,QadhiIsmailapproachedHadhratGangohi andexclaimed: Yes,MolviSahib,occasionallyyoushoulddoso. Hadhratsaid:WhathaveIdone?Ihavedonenothing. 7)AsimplevillagercametoHadhratatatimewhenthekhuddaamwerepressinghisbody,andsaid: Molvi,youmustbeveryhappytohavepeopleservingyou. Hadhratsaid:Brother,Idofeelpleasedbecauseofthecomfort.But,Alhamdulillah!Thereisno prideintheheart.Idonotthinkofmyselftobesuperiortothosewhoareservingme. Hearingthisanswerthevillagersaid: Thenthereisnothingwrongintakingservice? 8)OnceduringHajj,ImaamRabbaniwaswearingakurtahoffinemuslinwhilemakingtawaaf.In themataaf(Tawaafarea)wassittingablindbuzrugwhouttered*whenHadhratpassedby himduringtheshaut(Tawaafcircuit).OnaccountofHadhratsabsorption,hedidnotnearthe buzrugscomments.WhenHadhratpassedbythebuzruginthesecondshaut,herepeatedthesame word.NowHadhratclearlyheardhimandwasconvincedhewasbeingaddressed.Hadhrat therefore,lookedathim.Thebuzrugsaid: WearthegarmentsoftheSaaliheen. Hadhratpointedathiskurtahandsaid: ThistooisthegarmentoftheSaaliheen. Thebuzrugsaid:No!No!(ThegarmentsoftheSaaliheenare)thickandcoarse. ImaamRabbanisaying:Verygood.Allahgiveyoubarkat.,

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continuedwithhistawaaf. 9)OnceHadhratcameoutsideafterperformingIshraaqNamaaz.Contrarytohisnormalpractise,he coveredhisfacewithhisshawlandlaiddown.Adaybefore,aweddingpartyhadarrivedfrom Karnaal.Inthepartywasalsoafemaledancer.Severalpersonsinthegrouphadanacquaintance withHadhrat.Theycametogreethim,butfoundhimsleepingwithhisheadcovered.Althoughthey satwaitingforalongwhile,Hadhratdidnotopenhisface.Finally,oneofthemsaid: Hadhrat!Wehavecometoseeyou. Hadhratwhilekeepinghisfacecoveredrespondedwithangerandgrief: Whatbenefitisloadedinseeingme? Ultimately,anoldmaninthepartyunderstoodthatitwasonaccountofthedancerthattheywere beingdeprivedofHadhratsziyaarat.Apologising,hesaid: Hadhrat,wedidnotbringthedancer.Thegirlspartyisresponsibleforthis. Hadhratspontaneouslysaid: Thegirlspartyisnotanyonesgodtobeobeyed. Manyofthosepresentwereprofoundlyaffectedbythisreply.Afterthesepeopleleft,Hadhrat openedhisfaceandsatup. 10)TheursofShahAbdulQudds(Hadhratsgrandfather)greatlypainedHadhratGangohi.But,he wasunabletoputastoptoit.Thegriefcausedtohimbythisursmadetoleranceextremelydifficult forhim.Thiswasasuprememujaahadahforhim.InthebeginningHadhratwouldleaveGangoh duringtheursdaysandgotoRaampr.Laterheremainedinthekhanqahsufferingtremendouspain. Hewouldbecomeangrywithanyofhisrelativeswhoattended,andrefrainedfromspeakingwith them. OnceMaulanaMuhammadSalihJalandhaiwhoisImaamRabbaniskhalifah,inhisenthusiasmfor meetingHadhrat,cametoGangoh.Coincidentally,itwasthetimefortheurs.Whenhearrived Hadhratdidnotentertainhim.BesidesreplyingtohisSalaam,Hadhratsaidnothingelse,neither enquiringaboutthefoodarrangementsofMaulanaSalih.Hadhratwasabsolutelycoldtowardshim. OnlyMaulanaSalihknewwhattorturehehadtoendurefromthiscoldtreatment.Hetriedhisbestto figureoutthereasonforHadhratsattitude,butcouldnotarriveatanyconclusion.Hewouldcome toHadhrat,sitsilentlyandsorrowfullyandreturn.Finally,unabletobearitanylonger,hecame cryingtoHadhratandimplored: Hadhrat,whatisthecrimeforwhichIambeingpunished?Iamunabletobearit.ForAllahssake forgiveme. Hadhrattookhishandandsaid: ItisnotacrimeagainstmethatIcanforgive.ThecrimeisagainstAllah.SeekHisforgiveness. MaulanaSalihthenunderstoodthereason.HehadcometoGangohduringthedaysoftheurs,which wasdetestabletoHadhrat.MaulanaSalihthensaidbywayofapology: Hadhrat,Allahiswitness.FromtheverybeginningIhadnolikingforurs,etc.Wallah!Ididnot cometoGangohwiththeideaofursnorwasIawareoftheurstakingplaceherenowadays. HadhratImaamRabbanisaid: Althoughitwasnotyourintentiontoparticipateintheurs,butontheroadwheretwopersonswho
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werecomingtotheurs.Youwerethethird.Rasulullah()said: Whoeveraugmentsthegatheringofacommunity,heisofthem. 11)OnceHadhratwenttoDeobandsJalsahofDastarbandi(theturbantyingceremonyforfinalyear students).OnedayatAsrtime,MaulanaMuhammadYaqbwentforwardtoleadtheSalaat.On accountofthehugecrowdandabundanceofmusaafahah(handshaking),whenHadhratGangohi joinedtheJamaat,theQiraathadalreadycommenceddespiteHadhratshasteinjoining.Afterthe SalaamitcouldbeseenfromhisexpressionthatHadhratwasdejected.Sorrowfullyhesaid: Alas!Aftertwentytwoyears,todayImissedTakbirela. 12)Onceablindmancametothekhanqahandwithconsiderableemphasisexpressedhissincerity andeagernessformeetingHadhrat.HesaidthathehadcomewalkingfromMeeratforthesole purposeoflearningtheNameofAllah.Theinmatesofthekhaanqahwereimmenselyimpressedby hisclaims.Theywereveryhospitabletowardshim. WhenAthaanwascalledandHadhratcametotheMusjid,theblindmanofferedhishandfor musaafahah.Hadhratrebuffedandcompletelyignoredhim.Inspiteofhimprofessinghisyearning andhislongdesireformeetingHadhrat,hewasignored.Hadhratdidnotpayanyattentiontohim. ThosewhohadheardthestatementsoftheblindmanwhohadexpressedsomuchloveforHadhrat, weresurprisedbythereactionofHadhratGangohi.Butnoonehadthecouragetosayanything.A sincereassociateintercedingonbehalfoftheblindmansaid: Hadhrat,theblindmanisextremelyworried. Hadhratevendislikedthisintercessionandsaidangrily: Whensomethingisnotofyourconcern,whydoyouspeak?Lookathisheart.Itisfilledwiththe world. Thereafter,noonehadthecouragetosayanythingfurther.Finally,theblindmanleft.Laterhewas seenparticipatinginqawwaali,feigningstatesofecstasy. SufiKaramHusainwhohadwitnessedthisepisodefromthebeginningandwassurprisedat Hadhratsattitude,wasstunnedbythisdevelopment.Heaskedtheblindman: WhathashappenedtotheloveandyearningforHadhrat? Atleasthewashonest.Hesaid: Brother,IhadthoughtofcreatinganimpressiononyoureldersothatIcouldbeaccommodatedfor afewdaysuntilthetimeoftheurs.Infact,therewasneitheryearningnoranylove.Iamawanderer spendingmytimeinthisway. 13)Hadhratsaid: NisbatmeansnearnesstoAllah.Noonecansnatchitaway.Howcananyonesnatchsomething bestowedbyAllah? 14)PeoplewouldcometoHadhratRabbaniandalongwithtellinghimabouttheircircumstances, theywouldcomplainaboutothers.Hadhratwouldverycalmlygivethemahearing.OnceHadhrat MaulanaMuhammadYahyaasked: PeoplenarratetheircomplaintstoHadhrat.DoesitnotaffectHadhrat? HadhratGangohisaid: Iunderstandthatthereissomeillfeelingtowardstheotherparty.AslongasIhavenotheardthe
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otherside,howcanIaccept(thecomplainttobecorrect)? 15)Inthedaysofhisyouth,HadhratImaamRabbanihadwrittenanarticleontherealityofTariqat. Itisreproducedhereunder. TheknowledgeoftheSufiyyahmeanstheknowledgeofthezaahirandbaatinoftheDeenandof thepowerofYaqeen.Thisistheloftiestknowledge. TherealityofTasawwufisadornmentwiththeattributesofAllahTaala,theeliminationofones willandtotalengrossmentinthepleasureofAllahTaala.ThecharacteroftheSufiyyahisinfact thecharacterofRasulullah()asstatedbyAllahTaala: Mostcertainly,you(OMuhammad!)havebeencreatedonagreatcharacter. Further,whateverhasbeenstatedintheAhaadithisexecutedwithinthescopeofthecharactersof theSufiyyah.Thelistoftheakhlaaq(attributesandcharacteristics)oftheSufiyyahisasfollows: 1.Tobelieveoneselftobethemostinferior.Itsoppositeistakabbur(pride). 2.Kindnesstocreationandtotoleratethedifficultiesandinconveniencestheycauseone. 3.Tendernessandcheerfulnessandtoabandonanger. 4.Sympathyforothersandtogivepreferencetothem.Thisimpliesprioritytotherightsofothers overonespleasures. 5.Tobegenerous. 6.Tooverlookthewrongsofothersandtoforgivethem. 7.Toabstainfrompretence. 8.Tospendinmoderation,withoutbeingmiserlyorwasteful. 9.TohavetrustinAllah. 10.Tobecontentedwithlittleworldlypossessions. 11.Toadoptpiety. 12.Torefrainfromarguing,quarrellingandbeingwrathfulexceptforthetruth. 13.Toabstainfrommaliceandenvy. 14.Toabstainfromthedesireofrespectandfame. 15.Tofulfilpromises. 16.Tobetolerant,farsightedandsupportiveofbrothers. 17.Gratitudetothebenefactor. 18.TosacrificereputationforthesakeofMuslims. TheSufiinregardtoakhlaaqadornshiszaahirandhisbaatin.ThewholeofTasawwufisinfact Adab(respect).TheadaboftheDivineCourtistoshuneverythingbesidesAllahTaalaonaccount ofshameforAllahssplendourandgrandeur. Theworstsinistoconversewiththenafs,foritisthecauseofspiritualblindness. 16)OnceMaulanaWilayatHusainasked: ItissaidthatshaitaancannotappearintheformofonesShaikh.Isthiscorrect? HadhratGangohisaid: Yes,ifthemureedhasacquiredTauhideMatlabwhichmeansthatthemureedsfaithinhisShaikh issogroundedthathebelievesnooneelsebesideshisShaikhinthewholeworldtobehismedium ofhidaayat.

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17)Hadhratsaid: ThefacesofthosewhoinsultandvilifytheUlamaturnawayfromtheQiblahinthegrave. Whoeverwishescanascertainthis. 18)SincetheGhairMuqallideenvilifytheAimmaheDeen,performingSalaatbehindthemis Makrooh. 19)OnedayMaulanaMuhammadHasanasked: Isitpermissibletogiveabayaan(lecture)onthebirthofRasulullah(,)reading fromakitaabandwithoutobservingtheprevalentcustoms(associatedwithmoulood)? Hadhratsaid: Whatwrongisthereinit? ThereafterHadhratadded: PirzaadaSultanJahansentamessage: ReadthatMouloodwhichispermissibleandshowus. Suchamouloodwasarrangedinahouse.Hadhratcontinues: IsentMolviKhalilAhmadwiththekitaabTaareekheHabibeIlaah,theauthorofwhichisMufti InayatSahib.Itoldhimtorecitefromthekitaab.Hefirstrecitedtheaayat, (...Verily,theRasoolhascometoyou).Thenhegaveabayaanonthisaayatand narratedthestatementsandactionsofHadhratShaikhAbdulQudds.Thenhediscussedthe customaryactsofbidahprevalent.Hefullyexposedtheartificialsufisofthetime.Thenherecited fromthekitaabhistoricaleventspertainingtoRasulullahsbirth,etc.,andthenclosedthetalk.(This wastheendofthemoulood). AlthoughmanypeoplewereannoyedwiththeownerofthehouseforhavingcalledMaulanaforthis moulood,thereresultedmuchoutifit.Manypeopleareundertheimpressionthattherefutersof mouloodrejecttheveryideaofdiscussingthebirth(moulood)ofRasulullah(.) Manypeoplebecameconvincedoftheirerror. 20)Hadhratsaid: IfAllahTaalaeliminatespridefromtheheart,,everythinghasbeengained.

HisKhulafaa
ThosepersonswhohadattainedtheloftystatusofbeingkhulafaaasaresultofHadhratsfaidh etarbiyat(blessingsofmoraltraining)areasfollows: HadhratMaulanaAlHajKhalilAhmadMuhajireMadani,ShaikhulHindMaulanaMahmdHasan Deobandi,HadhratMaulanaShahAbdurRahimRaipri,HadhratMaulanaSiddiqueAhmad Ambhetwi,HadhratShaikhulIslamMaulanaSayyidHusainMadani,HadhratMaulanaMuhammad RaushanKhanMuradabadi,MaulanaHakimMuhammadIshaqNahtri. Besidestheaforementioned,approximatelyanother22or23otherstrainedbyImaamRabbaniare alsohiskhulafaa.TheirnamesarelistedinTazkaraturRashid.SincethenameofHadhratAqdas MaulanaKhalilAhmadappearsinourSilsilah,hewillnowbediscussed.

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HADHRATAQDASMAULANAALHAAJ KHALILAHMAD(rahmatullahalayh)
HafizulQuraanwalHadithHadhratAqdasMaulanaKhalilAhmadBinShahMajidAliBinShah AhmadAliAyybiAnsari,wasborntowardstheendofSafarintheyear1269Hijri,(December 1852)inAmbheta,DistrictSahaaranpr.Hismother,BiMubarakunNisa,wasthesisterofMaulana MuhammadYaqb,theSadrMudarrisofDaarulUloomDeoband.ShewasthedaughterofHadhrat MaulanaMamlkAli. InhisfifthyearhewasadmittedtotheMaktab.Forthesakeofbarkat,HadhratMaulanaMamlkAli initiatedtheBismillahofhisprimarylearningintheMaktab.Inviewofhisnaturalintelligenceand brilliancehecompletedtheQuraanMajeedveryquickly.HestudiedtheprimaryUrduandFarsi textbooksinAmbhetabyseveralUlama.Thereafterheaccompaniedhispaternaluncle,Maulana AnsarAlitoGawaliyaarwherehecommencedthestudyoftheprimarytextbooksofArabic grammar. Afterashortwhilehisfather,ShahMajidAliresignedfromhisworkandreturnedhome.He recalledHadhratSaharanprifromGawaaliyar.HiseducationwasassignedtoMaulanaSakhawatAli Ambhetwi.DuringthistimesomerelativesinsistedthathebeadmittedtoEnglishschool.Hehadno affinitywithseculareducationandabsolutelyabhorredit,believingittobeagreatcalamityimposed onhim.Nevertheless,hecommencedthissecularpursuitinobediencetohisseniors.But,hisheart waswhollyattachedtotheknowledgeoftheDeen.Healwaysprayedandhopedforfreedomfrom thefettersofthisimposedEnglisheducation.HisprayerswereansweredbytheopeningofDaarul UloomDeobandinMuharram1283.HismaternaluncleMaulanaMuhammadYaqbwasappointed thechiefMudarris.HadhratSaharanprithenbidfarewelltoEnglisheducation.Takingthe permissionofhisparents,hewenttoDeobandwherehecommencedstudiesfromKaafiyah. SixmonthslaterthefoundationstoneofMazaahirulUloomwaslaidinRajab1283.Heretooa maternaluncleofHadhratAqdas,viz.HadhratMaulanaMuhammadMazharwhowastheKhalifah ofHadhratGangohi,wasappointedtheSadrMudarris.SinceAllahTaalahadwilledthatHadhrat becomeoneofthetrainedproductsofMazaaharulUloom,thecircumstanceswerecreatedforhis transferencetoMazaaharulUloom.HereheenteredtheclassofMukhtasarulMaani.Hecompleted hisentireacademiccareeratMazaaharulUloom. Afteraccomplishmentofhisacademicstudies,hewasemployedbytheMadrasahatamonthlywage ofthreerupees.Thiswastheyear1288Hijri(1871)whenHadhratAqdaswas19years.Thereafter heproceededtoLahoretopursuefurtherUloomeAdabiyyah(ArabicLiteratureandEloquence).In thisregardHadhratAqdashimselfsays: IwenttoLahoreandstayedthereafewmonths.AfterstudyingMaqaamaatandMutanabbiby MaulanaFaidhulHasan(rahmatullahalayh),IreturnedtoDeoband.HadhratMaulanaYaqb (rahmatullahalayh)arrangedformetobeemployedtotranslateQaamoosintoUrdu.Thewagewas tenrupeespermonth.Iwassenttoamountaintoexecutethisduty.AfterabouttwomonthsI returned. ThereafterhewassentastheSadrMudarristotheMadrasahofHadhratManglore(Tadhkaratur Rashid,Vol.1).

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SinceAllahTaalahaddestinedWilaayaateKhaassah(SpecialrankofSainthood)forHadhrat Aqdas,itwasduringhisstayinManglorethatheurgeandyearningfortheacquisitionofthetrue Noor(DivineLove)developedinhisheart.ThiswasonlynaturalforonedestinedtobetheShaikh oftheage.InthisregardHadhratAqdashimselfexplainsinTazkaraturRashid. Priortoenteringintotheholyrelationship(Bayt),IhadnospecialconnectionwithHadhrat Gangohinorwerethereanyclosefamilytiesbetweenus.DuringmystudentdaysIhadaslight acquaintancewithHadhrat.IwouldonlyregardhimasaholyAalim.Onedaymypaternaluncle, MolviAnsarAliSahibunderwhomIwasstudyingsaid: Afteryourstudies,youshouldacquireTasawwuffromMolviSahib(i.e.HadhratGangohi). OnceduringRamadhaanIwenttoGangohandatnightwenttothekhaanqahtolistentohis (HadhratGangohis)Quraan.IwasstandingunderaNeemtreelisteningtohisrecitation.Atthe timehewasconductingtheTaraaweehSalaat.HewasaHafizwithanexceptionallybeautifulvoice. Hewasrecitingwithsuchbeautythatitssweetnessisinmyhearttothisday.HewasrecitingSurah Ahzaabatthetime. MymarriagetookplaceinGangohduringmystudentdays,henceIhadgreateroccasionofstudying inGangoh.DuringmystayinGangohIwouldspendthetimeintheblessedcompanyofHadhrat Gangohi(rahmatullahalayh).IrememberwellthatatthattimeIhadthefeelingofthesuns presenceandacelestiallightinthatmubaarakconfine(thekhaanqah).Iexperiencedpeaceand serenityinmyheartdespitethefactthatIwasnothismureednoradevotedfollower.Secondly, thosewhowerepresentforspiritualandmoralreformation,viz.HafizAbdurRahmanSahib,Molvi AltafurRahmanSahib,etc.,hadbecomeembodimentsofsimplicityandvirtue.Theirmoral charactershornofallevilattributesandadornedwithloftyangelicqualitiescoupledwiththeirlove fortheSunnatanddislikeforbidat,madethemreplicasoftheSahaabah.Nevertheless,thethought ofrequestingHadhratforbaytdidnotoccurtome. AfterterminationofmystudieswhenIwassentasaMudarris(teacher)toMadrasahManglorein thedistrictofSahaaranpr,theredevelopedinmeapeculiarconditionandinclinationtowards ibaadat.AtthattimetheHalqah(gathering)ofJanaabQadhiMuhammadIslamwasingreat prominence.Thethoughtofjoininghisgatheringoccurredtome.However,IalsofeltthatIshould firstconsultmyseniorsandseektheirpermission.Thus,IconsultedwithMaulanaMuhammadYaqb (rahmatullahalayh)whowrotetomeinreply: ThepathstowardsAllahareaccordingtothesoulsofpeople.ReachingAllahisnotconfinedtothe wayyouhaveadopted.AlthoughitisalsoawayofreachingAllah,presentlyitisnotappropriatefor youtojointheHalqah. Aboutthistime1288or1289theideaofbaytoccurredtome.Coincidentally,HadhratMaulana MuhammadQasimNanotwi(rahmatullahalayh)happenedtocometoRoorki.Onmyinvitationhe stayedatMangloreonhisreturn.Atnight,inprivacyIsaid: Ihavethethoughtofbayt.Inoursurroundingsareseveralbuzrugs.Yourself,MaulanaRashid AhmadSahib,MaulanaShaikhMuhammadSahibandQadhiMuhammadIsmailSahib.Idonot knowwhatisbestforme.Ifyoufeelthatitisbestformetoenterintotheassociationofyour khuddaam(i.e.mureedeen),thendoacceptme.Alternatively,whateveryoufeelbestforme,do instructme.

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Inreply,HadhratMaulana(rahmatullahalayh)madealongspeech,theessenceofwhichisthis: ThereisnonebetterthanMaulanaRashidAhmadSahibatthistime.Isaid: Heisextremelyreluctantregardingbayt.Ifyouintercedeonmybehalfthenthismatterwillbe finalised. Heresponded: Good,whenIcometoGangoh,thenbethere. Ithuswaitedanxiouslyfortheopportunity.WhenIwasinformedafewdayslaterthatHadhrat MaulanawasgoingtoGangoh,Iimmediatelywentandsaid(i.e.toHadhratNanotwi): Whenagraciousmanpromiseshefulfils(i.e.honourshispromise). Hesmiledandsaid:Wellandgood. DuringthemorningafterhehaddiscussedwithHadhrat,hecalledme.Ientered,madesalaamand satdown.HadhratMaulanaMuhammadQasimSahib(rahmatullahalayh)wassilent.Hadhrat Gangohi(rahmatullahalayh)withaslightsmileonhiscountenancesaid: Humbleandlowlypeoplebecomemymureeds.YouarethesonofaPeerandaselectedone.Why doyouwanttoenterintobaytwithme? IwasalreadyawestruckwhenIhadenteredhisaugustpresence.Thisstatementfurther incapacitatedmysenses.Icouldonlystammer: Hadhrat,Iamworse,morecontemptibleanduselessthanthem(thehumblefolk). Heresponded:Enough!Enough!MakeIstikhaarah.IamcomingtotheMusjid. IproceededimmediatelytotheMusjid,madewudhu,performedtworakatsandrecitedthe MasnoonIstikhaarahDua.OnHadhratsarrivalheasked: Whatisyouropinion? Isaid:Myopinionisthesame.Acceptmeinyoursubjection(ghulaami). Incidentally,MolviMuhammadIshaaqAmbetwiwhowasthesonofBrotherHameedAliwhowas studyingbyHadhrat,wasalsopresent,waitingfortheinitiation.Hadhrat(rahmatullahalayh) instructedusbothtorepent.ThereafterheinitiatedusintotheSystemofSubjection(i.e.accepted themashismureeds).AllpraiseisforAllahforthatbounty. DuringthesametimeanofferofemploymentfromBhopalcameforHadhratMaulanaYaqb (rahmatullahalayh)forasalaryof300rupeesamonth.Muchpressurewasputonhimtoacceptthis offer.However,inspiteofhimearningatthattime30rupeespermonth,hedeclinedtheoffer.He wasthenpressedtosendanotherreliablepersontotakeupthepost.HadhratMaulanaYaqb (rahmatullahalayh)senthisnephew,HadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmad(rahmatullahalayh).Thus,by thechoiceofhishonourableuncleandontheapprovalofHadhratGangohi(rahmatullahalayh),he leftduringtheyear1293HijritotakeupthepostinBhopalatthesalaryof50rupeespermonth.

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HisresidencewasinthemansionofMadaarulMahaamandeveryarrangementwasmadeforhis comfortandwants.However,thespiritualeffulgencewhichhehadexperiencedintheformerplace (viz.Sahaaranpr/Deoband)waslackinghereinBhopal.Furthermore,theweatherdidnotagreewith him.MaulanaKhalilSaharanpri(rahmatullahalayh),thereforehandedinhisresignationtohis Shaikh,HadhratGangohi(rahmatullahalayh)andrequestedpermissiontoreturn.Thereplywhich HadhratMaulanaGangohi(rahmatullahalayh)wroteisrecordedinTadhkiratulKhalil.Itis reproducedhere. BrotherMolviKhalilAhmadSahib!Mayyourfuyoodh(spiritualgraceandbenefit)endurefora longtime.Yourletterwasreceivedtoday.Inviewoftheweathertherenotagreeingwithyou,your returnisnecessary.RelocatingonaccountoftheweatherisconfirmedbytheHadith.However,since itinvolveslivelihood,thematterissomewhatdelicate.Therefore,untilalternativearrangementsare notmade,leavingisnotappropriate.Itis,therefore,advisabletostaythereforawhile.Youwere muchindemandinMuraadabaad.However,MolviAbdulHaqPrihasnowtakenupthepostthere, butheisunabletofulfilhisdutiesasarerequired.Ifitbecomesadvisable,Ishallendeavour(to acquireapostforyou)thereorelsewhere.Ishallinformyouafterarrangementsaremade, InshaAllah. 18thRabiulAwwal,1293Hijri. InaccordancewiththeinstructionsofHadhratMaulanaGangohi(rahmatullahalayh),he(Maulana Khalil)stayedoninBhopaluntiltheHajjseasondawned.TheurgetogoforHajjbecame overpowering.HadhratMaulanaKhalilwasgrantedleave.Healsoreceivedafewmonthssalaryin advance.Althoughthismoneywasnotsufficient,hisenthusiasmimpelledhimtoproceed.This episodeisdescribedindetailinTadhkiratulKhalil. OnreachingMakkahMukarramah,hepresentedhimselfatthehomeofHadhratHajiImdadullah (rahmatullahalayh).ThepleasureofAnwaareBaatiniyyah(spirituallight)therewasmost wonderful.ThiswasthefirstHajjofHadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmad(rahmatullahalayh).Ithas beendiscussedingreatdetailinTadhkiratulKhalil. AftercompletingHajj,hisintentionwastoproceedtoMadinahMunawwarah.However,theroadto Madinahwasdangerous.EventhosepeoplewhohadalreadycommencedthejourneytoMadinah werereturningbecauseofthedanger.Anarchy,strifeandkillingwererampant.HadhratHajiSahib said: MolviKhalilAhmad,whatisyourintention?IhaveheardtheHujjaajarereturninghomeinlarge numbersonaccountofthedangerandunsafetyoftheroadtoMadinah. MaulanaKhalilAhmadreplied: Hadhrat,IhaveresolvedtogotoMadinahTayyibah.Theappointedtimeofmautcannotbedelayed anywhere.IfitcomesinthisRoad(toMadinah),whatgreaterfortunedoesamanwishfor?Itisby thegraceofAllahTaalathathehasbroughtmethusfar.Ifnow,IabandonthejourneytoMadinah onaccountofthefearfordeath,thenwhocanbemoreunfortunatethanme? HadhratHajiSahibsfacebrightenedupwithpleasure,andhecommented: Enough!Enough!Foryoutheadviceisthatyoushouldcertainlygo.InshaAllah,youwillreach. Thus,HadhratMaulanaKhaliltookleaveandsetoutforMadinahMunawwarah.Hesaid:
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OnlyIknowofthegreatpeaceandcomfortIexperiencedalongthejourney.Istayedabouttwo weeksinthesacredprecinctsandreachedhomesafely. Inthisjourney,HadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmad(rahmatullahalayh)receivedauthorisationinHadith fromShaikhulHaramMaulanaShaikhAhmadDahlanandfromShaikhulMashaikhHadhratShah AbdulGhaniMujaddidNaqhshabandiDehlawiwhohadtakenupresidenceinMadinah.Thisis recordedindetailinthebeginningofMusalsalaat.TheauthorisationfromShaikhAhmadDahlan wasacquiredinMakkahMukarramahwhilethatofHadhratShahAbdulGhaniwasobtainedin MadinahMunawwarahafterHajjintheyear1294. AfterreturningfromHajj,HadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmad(rahmatullahalayh)hadnointentionof returningtoBhopalbecausetheweatherconditionstherewerenotfavourable.Afterstayingafew daysinhishometown,Ambheta,heleftinJamaadilUla,1294,forSikanderaabaadinthedistrictof BalandshahrwherehetookupapostasMudarrisinMadrasahArabiyaJaamiMusjid. However,herethepeopleofBidahvehementlyopposedhim.Theyleftnostoneunturnedtoharm him,hencehesoughtpermissionfromHadhratGangohi(rahmatullahalayh)toreturn.However, HadhratGangohi(rahmatullahalayh)refusedpermissionandwrotethefollowingletter: MolviKhalilAhmadSahib,AssalaamuAlaikumwarahmatullahwabarakatuhu! Yourletterhasbeenreceivedandcontentsnoted.Donotpermitthelatestdevelopmentstoalarm you.Inthisworldoccureventswhichpleaseanddisplease.Continuewithyourmission.Ifthe opponentisbentonharmingyou,thenknowthattheSupporterisprotectingyou. Asfaraspossible,donotresorttoabandonment.Itisbettertokeepallhappy.Perhapsitwill provebeneficial.AllahTaalasaid: Thus,becauseofthemercyofAllah,youareaffectionatetowardsthem. However,thereisnohopethatthissect(viz.AhleBidah)willbecomepleased,especiallywhen theyareexhortedbytheirlecturers(toopposeyou). Wassalaam Friday,16JamadithThaani1294 However,despitetheaffectionandaffabilityshownbyHadhratMaulanaKhalilSahib,the intransigenceofthepeopletherewentonincreasing,hencewiththepermissionofHadhratGangohi (rahmatullahalayh),hehandedinhisresignationandreturned. Inthatveryyear,1294,inthemonthofShawwaalanaugustgroupconsistingoftheAkaabirof HindustandepartedforHajj.InthisgroupweretheillustriousstarsofKnowledgeandPiety,viz. HadhratGangohi,HadhratNanotwi,HadhratMaulanaMazhar,HadhratMaulanaMuhammadYaqb (ChiefMudarrisofDaarulUloomDeoband)aswellasotherseniorUlama.AlthoughHadhrat Saharanpri(MaulanaKhalilrahmatullahalayh)hadagreatdesireandwishtoaccompanythis augustcaravanofseniors,HadhratGangohi(rahmatullahalayh)didnotconsentonaccountofsome difficultiesregardingtravellingarrangements.Moreover,becauseHadhratMaulanaKhalilSahibhad justreturnedfromHajj.ThisillustriousgroupreturnedfromHajjinthemonthofRabiulAwwal 1295. Ontheirreturn,aletterfromMolviShamsuddin,ChiefJusticeofBhawalpr,wasawaitingMaulana MuhammadYaqbSahib.TheletterwasarequestforaveryhighlyqualifiedUstaad.Manyqualities
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werestipulatedintheletter.TheUstaadhadtobeayoungman,extremelyintelligent,anexpertin allbranchesofKnowledge,anembodimentofvirtueandcharacter,whocouldbeanexemplarfor students,etc.HadhratMaulanaYaqb(rahmatullahalayh)selectedMaulanaKhalilAhmadforthis post. Hadhratwouldoftensaythathehaddeclinedtheoffer,sayingthathewasnotadequatelyqualified. However,MaulanaMuhammadYaqb(rahmatullahalayh)said: TheAhleIlm(theUlama)usuallyconsiderthemselvesinthisway(i.e.thattheyarenot adequatelyqualified).Youconsideryourselfunqualifiedbecauseyoustillhaveyourseniorsabove you.However,whenyougooutsideyouwillnotfindanyoneasqualifiedasyourself. Finally,bytheunanimousopinionofHadhratMaulanaYaqb(rahmatullahalayh)andHadhrat MaulanaGangohi(rahmatullahalayh),MaulanaKhalilAhmad(rahmatullahalayh)tookupthepost inBhawalprforamonthlysalaryof30rupees. WhilehewasinBhawalpr,heundertookasecondHajjjourneywhichhe,himselfdescribesinhis Biyaadh.ThisjourneyisalsodescribedinTadhkaratulKhalil.Ittookplaceinthemonthof Shawwaal1297.Theyear1296mentionedinTadhkaraturRashidisaprintingerror. ItwasonthisblessedjourneythatHadhratHajiImdadullah(rahmatullahalayh)bestowedthemantle ofKhilaafatetoHadhratSaharanpri(rahmatullahalayh)andpresentedhismubarakamaamah (turban).ThisismentionedinthesecondvolumeofTadhkaraturRashidasfollows: WhenthehonourableMaulanawentonHajjthesecondtimetoMakkahMuazzamah,Imaam eRabbani(MaulanaGangohi)wrotetoHajiSahib(HajiImdadullah)requestinghimtoconferthe mantleofKhilaafattoMolviKhalilAhmadSahib. OnseeingMaulana,HadhratHajiSahibbecameextremelyhappy.DuringMuharram1297he presentedthedocumentofKhilaafatadornedwithhissealandinastateofelationheremovedhis blessedturbanfromhisheadandplaceditonMaulanashead. ThehonourableMaulanapresentedbothgiftstoImaameRabbaniandsaid: Iamnotdeservingofthese.Thisisonlyyouraffectionandgraceforme. HadhratGangohireplied: Maythesebeblessedforyou.HethensignedtheKhilaafatNaamah(DocumentofKhilaafat)and handedittogetherwiththeturbantoMaulanaSahib. TherespectofMaulanaKhalilwassuchthatwheneverhewouldinitiate(makebaytof)aMureed, hewouldinstructhim(theMureed),afterhavingmadetaubahforpastsins,tosay: IhavemadebayttoHadhratMaulanaRashidAhmadSahibonthehandsofKhalilAhmad. Inthisnarrative,thedateMuharram1297isaprintingerror.HadhratsdepartureforHajjwasin Shawwaal1297. Theturbanmentionedabove,isthesameblessedturbanwhichHadhratSaharanpri(rahmatullah alayh)presentedtomyfather,HadhratMaulanaMuhammadYahyaSahib(rahmatullahalayh)onthe occasionofthebestowalofthemantleofKhilaafattohim.ThisepisodeisnarratedbyMaulana shiqIlahiSahibinTadhkaratulKhalil.Hewrites:

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MolviMuhammadYahyaSahibmarhoomwasmybenefactorandsincerefriend.Hishidden excellenciesandauspiciousstatesrequireaseparatevolume.Afterall,hemusthavebeena somebodyforImaameRabbanitolovemorethanhisownoffspring.HadhratRabbani(i.e.Maulana Gangohi)oftensaidthathewasthestaffofoldageandtheeyesoftheblind. Occasionallyifhe(MaulanaMuhammadYahya)woulddisappearforafewminutesforsomework, ImaameRabbaniwouldbecomeperturbedandrestless.Hespenttwelveyearsinsuchloveand affectionwhichcannotbeexplained.ThisendureduntilthedemiseofHadhratImaameRabbani. HadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmad(rahmatullahalayh)whoseforesighthaddiscernedtheworthand valueofMaulanaMuhammadYahyatwelveyearsago,wentspeciallytoGangohtopresentthe turbanwhichMurshidulArabwalAjam(i.e.HadhratHajiImdadullah)hadpresentedtohim.Onthis occasionwhileplacingthemubaarakamaamahonMaulanaMuhammadYahyasheadwithhis blessedhands,hesaid: Youaredeservingofthis.UntilthisdayIwasitsprotectorandtrustee.Alhamdulillah!Today,I havehandedthehaq(right)totherightfuloneandamnowrelievedoftheresponsibilityofthis amaanat(trust).IauthoriseyoutoinitiateanyseekerintothefourSilsilahsandtoshowhimthe NameofAllah. ThethirdandallsubsequentHajjjourneyesofHadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmad(rahmatullahalayh) wereundertakenfromSahaaranpr.ThethirdHajjwasaftertheheartrendingdemiseofHadhrat Qutube lamGangohi(rahmatullahalayh).Consolationfortheimmensegriefwhichhesufferedas aresultofthiseventcouldbeobtainedonlyfromhispresenceattheHolyGraveofRasulullah( .) HisfourthHajjwasin1328.InthisyearHadhratAqdasShahAbdurRaheem(rahmatullahalayh) wentforHajjaccompaniedbyalargegroupofhiskhuddaam(mureeds)andcompanions.Hadhrat SaharanpriaccompaniedHadhratAqdasRaipuri(i.e.HadhratAbdurRaheem)asfarasDelhi.Onhis returnfromDelhi,JanabShahZahidHusainSahibofBahatprevailedonHadhratSaharanpritoalso proceedforHajj.HesaidthathetoowouldaccompanyHadhrat.Perhapsthisinsistencewasthe effectoftheyearningandenthusiasmwhichoverwhelmedtheheartofHadhratSaharanpriasa consequenceofthedepartureofHadhratRaipri(rahmatullahalayh).Hence,heacceptedtheoffer aftermuchpressurewasbroughtonhimtodosobyShahZahidHusain.Thus,hedepartedfrom SahaaranprduringthemiddleofThilQadhandreachedMakkahMukarramahon6thThilHajj. AfterHajjhewenttoMadinahMunawwarahviatherouteofYamboo.Hestayed22daysthere.He returnedtoSahaaranprattheendofSafar1329. ThefifthHajjwasamomentousoccasionwhichtookplaceinShawwaal1332inthecompanyof HadhratShaikhulHind(rahmatullahalayh).However,hedidnotobtainthecompanionshipof HadhratShaikhulHind(rahmatullahalayh)fromthebeginningofthejourney.However,aweek beforethejourney,fourillustriouspersonalitiesgatheredfortopsecretdiscussionsinthelibraryof MazaahirulUloom.TheseaugustpersonalitieswereHadhratSaharanpri,HadhratShaikhulHind, HadhratAqdasShahAbdurRaheemRaipriandMaulanaAlHajHakeemAhmadRampri (rahmatullahalayhim).Nooneelsebesidesthesefourwasallowedtoparticipateinthetalks Forafullweekthesediscussionscontinuedinprivacy.DailyafterIshraaqSalaat,theywouldgointo privacy.AtmiddaywordwouldrepeatedlycomefromthehomeofHadhratSaharanpritoannounce thatmealswereready.

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Theywouldreply:Wearecoming.TheywoulddescendfromupstairsjustbeforeZuhrAthaanand afterquicklyhavingtheirmeals,performZuhrSalaat,thenimmediatelysecludethemselvesto continuetheirtalksuntilaftertheAthaanofAsr.AfterAsrtherewouldbenomajlis(gatheringat whichDeeniinstructionswasimparted).However,sometimesafterMaghribtherewouldbeamajlis. Everyonewascurioustoknowwhattranspiredatsuchlengthyandsecrettalkswhichlastedfora wholeweek,butnoonehadanyinkling. Atthetime,Iwasachild.Iwouldaskeverysenioraboutthesetalks.Myfatherhadsomeideawhat thesediscussionswereabout.He,therefore,madesomeallusionswhichwouldsatisfymycuriosity. DuringtheabsenceofHadhratShaikhulHind(rahmatullahalayh),theresponsibilityofhisduties wasassumedbyHadhratRaipri(rahmatullahalayh). Althoughthesepersonalitiesheldhighaspirations(thisisareferencetotheirJihaadPlanfor unshacklingIndiafromBritishimperialismTranslator),AllahsDecreedidnotpermittheir attainment. InMakkah,onaccountoftheexcessesandoppressionofShareefHusain(theTurkishgovernorof Hijaaz),HadhratSaharanpriwascompelledtoreturnbeforeHajjduringShawwaal1334,while HadhratAqdasShaikhulHind(rahmatullahalayh)wasimprisonedandexiledtoMalta(bythe Britishgovernment). AlthoughinTadhkaratulKhalilitismentionedthatHadhratSaharanprireturnedfromthisjourneyin Shawwaal,heinfactdepartedfromMakkahMukarramahattheendofShawwaalandhisship reachedBombayonthe8thThilQadh.Ashedisembarkedfromtheshiphewashandedthe telegramannouncingthedemiseofmyhonourablefather,HadhratMaulanaMuhammadYahya (rahmatullahalayh).Thisnewsaggravatedthegriefhesufferedasaresultofthedifficultevents whichtranspiredintheyearofhisresidencyinMakkahMukarramah. Tocompoundallthis,ashealightedfromtheship,healongwithhiswifeandbrother,HajiMaqbool AhmadSahibwhowasHadhratsrighthandman,weretakenintocustody.Thethreetogetherwith theirluggageweretakentoNanitaal.Theepisodeoftheirprolongedinterrogationwhichlasted severaldaysisquitelengthy.Finally,bythefadhlofAllahTaala,theywerereleased. HissixthHajjtookplacein1338.HeleftfromSahaaranpron2ndShabaan.Itooaccompaniedhim onthisjourney.TherewassomedelayinBombayregardingembarkationbecausetheretinueof Hadhratscompanionswasapproximately300andHadhratdislikedtoembarkwithoutallhis companions.Twoshipssailedwithoutthemsincepassagefortheentiregroupwasnotavailableon anyoneofthese.Ticketsfortheentiregroupwerepurchasedwellinadvanceonathirdship. ThosewereverydifficultdaysinBombaywhereitwasextremelydifficultforDeobandistolive publicly.Somesincerefriendshad,therefore,arrangedaccommodationforthegroupinatent pitchedintheveldontheoutskirts.Finally,theyreachedMakkahMukarramahonthe11thof RamadhaanulMubarak. InspiteofHadhratsweaknessanddizzinessasaresultoftheshipsrocking,hehimselfconducted theTaraaweehSalaatwhilestanding.HewouldrecitehalfJuzin8rakatsandanotherquarterJuzin theremaining12rakatswasrecitedbyme.OnreachingMakkahMukarramah,Hadhratperformed TaraaweehbehindahighlyqualifiedQaariwhorecitedtwoJuznightly.Thisrecitationwasfromthe
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beginning.Inaddition,HadhratwouldrecitehisownQuraaninNaflSalaat. WhenHadhratreachedMakkahMukarramah,HadhratMaulanaMuhibbuddinMuhajireMakkiwho wasamongtheKhulafaaofHadhratHajiImdadullah(rahmatullahalayh),andwhowasagreat SaahibeKashf(onewhoreceivesdivineinspiration),whileembracinghim(HadhratSaharanpri) said: Maulana,whyhaveyoucomehere?ThegreaterQiyaamahisabouttobeenactedhere.Return immediatelytoHindustanafterRamadhaan. Hadhratsaidtous(hiscompanions): ItwasmyintentiontotakeupresidenceinMadinahTayyibah,butMaulanaMuhibbuddinSahib vehementlyforbidsit.IhavealreadyvisitedMadinahTayyibahseveraltimes.Sincethisisyourfirst Hajjanditisnotknownifyouwillagaingetthisopportunity,therefore,proceedtoMadinah. ThetimesweresounsafeanddangerousthatbeforeHajjsomepeoplewouldhazardthetripto MadinahandafterHajjaveryfewwouldventuretoMadinah.Neitherlifenorpropertywassafe. ThegovernmentofShareefHusainhadnocontrolbeyondtheconfinesofMakkah.Killingand plunderingwererampant.OnlythreedayvisasweregrantedtostayinMadinahTayyibah.Ifanyone wishedtostaymorethanthreedays,adailyfeeofoneguinea(goldcoin)hadtobepaidtothe Bedouininchargeofthecaravan.Butthisextendedstaywaspossibleonlywiththeconsentofthe Bedouin. Afewofuskhuddaam(servants/companions),withtheblessingsofHadhratandthemercyand graceofAllah,finallyreachedMadinahTayyibah,travellingclandestinely,initiallyalongthecoast, thenthroughthevalleysofMountGhaair.Thestoryofthisjourneyisindeedlongandinteresting. OneofthemanifestationsoftheinnumerablebountiesandgraceofAllahTaala,whichhavealways beenwiththishumbleone(HadhratShaikhZakariyyahTranslator),wasthatinsteadofthreedays, Iwasabletostay40daysinMadinahTayyibah.Thisistrulyanexampleofthebountiesstatedin theQuraanicaayat: And,ifyoucountthebountiesofAllah,neverwillyoubeabletoenumeratethem. OnreachingMadinah,oneofthecamelsofourcaravandiedonaccountofsheerexhaustion.Neither didthejammaal(ownersofthecamel)havesufficientfundstopurchaseanothermount,nordidwe possessenoughmoneytoadvancealoanwithwhichanothercamelcouldbepurchased.Hadhrat SaharanprihadcalculatedourexpensesforthejourneyandforathreedaystayinMadinah.Thus, weweregivensufficientmoneyonlyforthis.Therestofourfundswereleftinthesafecustodyof thetrader,HajiAliJan. Wheneverthejammaalwouldaskusforaloantoenablehimtopurchaseacamel,wewouldaskhim foraloantobuyfood,sayingthatwehadmadearrangementsforonlythreedays.MayAllahTaala granthimagoodreward.Thepoormanrepeatedlypresentedexcusesforthedelay.Whenoneofour associateswouldsometimescomplaintotheAmeerofMadinah,hetoowouldapologiseandinstruct ustobepatient.HewouldalsothreatentheBedouin(inchargeofourcaravan). Thestayofthisjourneyisveryinterestingandwonderful.But,itisnotmyintentiontowritemy

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autobiographyhere.Ihavesimplydigressedfrommytopicandwrotethesefewlines. AfterHajjwereturnedwithHadhratSaharanpri.HadhratreachedSahaaranprduringSafar1339. TheseventhHajjwasthejourneyinwhichHadhratbidafinalfarewelltoHindustan.Onthe insistenceoftheKhuddamofHyderabaad,itwasarrangedforHadhrattostayover,oneweekin Hyderabaad.ThedeparturefromSahaaranprforHyderabaadwason16thShawwaal1344. ItwasalsoagreedthatIaccompanyHadhratasfarasHyderabaad.However,atthestation,precisely atthemomentofdepartureaftertakingupseats,itwasdiscoveredthatHadhratsmainitemof luggagewasleftbehindinhisroom.Thissuitcasecontainedallhisamaanaat(itemsoftrust)aswell asthefundsforthejourney.I,therefore,hadtoreturnasthetraindeparted.IreachedHyderabaad thenextdaywithHadhratssuitcase. AfterstayingaboutaweekinHyderabaad,HadhratleftforBombay.Accordingtoplan,therestof thecompanionstogetherwithAmmajee(hiswife)leftfromSahaaranprdirectlyforBombayonthe 23rdShawwaalwhileHadhratdepartedfromHyderabaadat9a.m.onSaturday25thShawwaal.He reachedBombayonSundaymorning. FromBombay,theshipsailedonthe7thThilQadh.Theshipdockedonthe17thatKamraan,and sailedfromthereonthe18th,reachingJiddahonthe21st.FromJiddahthejourneytoMakkah Mukarramahwasbycamels.ThepartyreachedMakkahMukarramahonthe25th. HadhrathadrentedahouseinanarrowstreetoppositeBaabeIbrahim.Hadhrattogetherwiththree orfourKhaadimsstayedinthishouse. Onthe8thweleftforMina.HadhratandAmmajeewereononecamel.Someotherclose companionswerenearbyonothercamels.Someofus,Khuddaam,walkedonfootalongside Hadhratscamel.InMinawestayedinthetentoftheMutawwif.Onetentwasfortheladies,in whichAmmajeeandakhaadimah(femalecompanion)stayed.Inanothertent,Hadhratandwe,the khuddaamstayed.AftercompletingtheHajj,thestayinMakkahMukarramahwasforafewdays.It wasthendecidedtoproceedtoMadinah.Onthe22ndThilHajj,Tabrezstarted.Afewcamelsata timewouldleaveandstopoveratJarwal. Tabrezisawellknownpracticeassociatedwithtravelbycamelcaravan.Thecaravanhaltsfora nightaboutamileortwooutsideMakkah.Thepurposeforthishaltistoenablepeopletoreturnto Makkahtobringanygoodsorpersonsleftbehind.Theactualjourneycommencesafterthishaltat Tabrez.Nowadays,inviewofmoderntransport,peoplearenolongerawareofthepracticeof Tabrez. Thedeparturewasplannedforthe24th,butthegovernmentconfiscated23camels.Thisresultedina delayoftwodays.Therefore,welefttwodayslaterafterAsrSalaatat9oclockArabictimefrom Jarwal.SomehadleftandperformedAsrSalaatinTaneem.At6oclock,Arabictime,wereached WaadiFaatimahwherethereweremanyorchardsofverytalldatetrees.Therewasalsoasmall streamofverysweetwater.Webathedinthestreamandateofthedates. FromhereweleftatZuhronThursdayandreachedAsfaanonFridaymorningat12oclock,Arabic time.Thecamelsofthecaravantrailedinuntil2oclock,Arabictime.Herewasawell.Itissaid thatthesalivaofRasulullah()hadmingledinthewaterofthiswell.Hereweremany scattereddatetrees.Therewerenoorchards.Therewerealsoseveralwells,thewaterofwhichwas
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verysweet.Dates,fowls,goatsandsheepwereinabundanceandverycheap. WeleftAsfaanat8oclockArabictime.Weaccomplishedthelongandarduousmountainclimb beforeMaghribandreachedDafat6oclockArabictimeonSaturdaynight.However,onaccount ofthesteepmountainclimb,thecamelstrailedinuntil9oclockatnight.Heretoo,dateswerein abundance.Deliciousbreadwasbeingsoldverycheaply.Milktoo,wasavailableinabundance. WedepartedfromhereafterAsrSalaatandreachedQadeemahonSundaymorningat9oclock Arabictime.Qadeemahwasabigtownwheregovernmentoffices,officialsandpoliceweremuchin view.ThedifferentroutesfromMakkahconvergedhere.Also,thosecomingfromJiddahwould convergehere. Therewasashortageofwaterandtheavailablewaterwasbrack. AfterZuhrSalaatat6oclock,weleftandreachedRaabighat2oclockArabictimeinthemorning onMonday.Raabighwasquiteabigcity.However,onaccountofwarbetweentheNajdisand Shareef,thecitywasdestroyedanddesolate.Nevertheless,therewasamarketplacecateringfor needs.Sometradershereperformedapostalservice.ForafeewouldtheydeliverlettersforYamboo andJiddahtothepostoffice.Allcaravansstoppedherecompulsorilyforonenight. WedepartedfromRaabighTuesdayeveningafterAsrat9oclockArabictimeandreachedMastrah onWednesdaymorningat12oclock.Generally,allthewellswereverybrack.Whateverwas cookedwiththiswellwateralsobecamebitter.However,withthebarkatofHadhratwelocatedvery sweetwater.Itwaslearntthatthegovernmenthadjustrecentlydugafewwellsfromwhichsweet waterwasobtainablebythefadhlofAllahTaala.Thiswaterwassweeterthanthewaterofeven RaabighandQadeemah. Wednesdayeveningat9oclockafterAsrwedepartedandreachedBireShaikhonThursday morningat11oclockArabictime.Althoughthereexistedamarketplace,milkwasnotavailable. AfterAsrweleftandreachedBireBanilHassaanonFridayatthetimeofSahri.Thisplacewas alsocalledBireShaikhAbdullahatthetime.ItissaidthatHasaanwasafamouschiefwhohad sevenchildren.Hewasverywealthy.Thissettlementisnamedafterhim.Severalroadsfromhere leadtoMadinahTayyibah.Somecaravansaccomplishthisjourneyinthreemanzils(halts),while othersdoitinfourmanzils. ThecaravanofHadhratleftBireHassaanonFridayafterZuhrSalaatandreachedGhalson Saturdaymorning,leavingagainafterZuhrSalaat.OnSundaymorningthecaravanreachedFareesh. Thevariouscaravanshadallgatheredhere. FromFareeshweleftduringtheeveningofSundayandreachedMadinahMunawwarah(MayAllah increaseitindignityandhonour)onMondayatthetimeofChaasht.IfThilQadhhad30days,then thedateonthisdaywouldhavebeenthe8thMuharramandifThilQadhhad29days,thedate wouldbethe9thMuharram.AzeezulHasanKandhalwiMarhoomwhosecamelhadseparatedfrom ourcaravan,haltingatotherplaces,writesinhisBiyaadhthatthedateofarrivalinMadinah Tayyibahwasthe19thJuly,Mondaymorning.InTaqweemulAam,thedateofarrivalissaidtobe the19thJulycorrespondingwiththe8thMuharramonTuesday.However,inArabiaadifferenceof adayinthedatesiscommon,hencethe19thJulycorrespondswiththe8thMuharram(Tuesday)in Arabia.

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HadhratAqdasMaulanaAlHajSayyidAhmad(theelderbrotherofShaikhulIslamHadhrat MaulanaSayyidHusainAhmadMadani(rahmatullahalayh)hadrentedahouseinMadrasah ShariyyahQadeem.Qadeemismentionedhereinrelationtothepresentnewbuildingwhichwas erectedasaconsequenceofthegreatchangesandredevelopmentschemesduringtheSaudiregime. Theold(qadeem)Madrasahbuildingwasaverysimpleandappealingstructure.Itsmainportalwas locatedonthemainroadfacingBaabunNisaa.Thesmalldoorwasonthesouthernsideopeninginto anarrowstreet. ThegroundfloorofthishousewastakenupbyHadhratMaulanaSayyidAhmadSahib.Hadhrat Saharanprioccupiedthesecondfloorwherehewrotethekitaab,BazlulMajhood.Thethirdfloor wasoccupiedbythefemalesofHadhratMaulanaSayyidAhmad.Adjacenttothis,towardstheside ofBaabunNisaawastheresidenceoftheHadhratSaharanprisfemales. AfterIshraaqSalaat,HadhratSaharanpri(rahmatullahalayh)wouldgototheroomwherehewould writehiskitaabandremainthereforafewhoursincompletesolitudeengrossedinwritingBazlul Majhood.Hewouldthereafterhavehismealsinthesameroom.ThefoodofHadhratwouldcome fromhishomeandfromupstairswouldcomethefoodofHadhratMaulanaSayyidAhmadSahib.I wasregardedastheirguestbyboththeseseniors,henceIwouldparticipateintheirmeals.This becameapparentwhenonceduringmyyearlongstayIcouldnotjointhemformealsduetoasevere fever.Mealswouldbesenttomebybothseniorsseparately,afterZuhr,onaregularbasis. Throughoutthedurationoftheyearsstay,Ididnothavetomakemyownarrangementsforfood. Aftermeals,Hadhratwouldgotothezanaanah(thequartersoccupiedbyhisfemales).Afterashort nap(qaillah),hewouldleaveforMusjideNabawibeforeZawwaal(midday).TheZuhrAthaan wouldbeannouncedsoonafterZawwaal.HadhratwouldengageintilaawatoftheQuraanShareef foraboutanhourfromafewminutesafterZuhrSalaat.Thereafter,hewouldbeoccupiedstudying (thebook)WafaaulWafaa.AfterAsrSalaat,hewouldproceedtothehomeofMaulanaSayyid AhmadSahib(rahmatullahalayh)onthegroundfloorandremainthereuntilMaghrib. Here(atthehomeofMaulanaSayyidAhmadSahib),Hadhratwouldkeephismajliswhichwouldbe opentothepublic.BothlocalresidentsandforeignerscomingforZiyaaratattendedthemajlis.On theseoccasionsHadhratMaulanaSayyidSahibtookgreatdelightservinggreenteatoallpresent. DuringRabiulAwwal1345,HadhratAbdulQadirRaipri(rahmatullahalayh)arrivedinMadinah Tayyibahwithafewofhiscloseassociates.Despitehisillness,hewouldregularlyattendHadhrat SaharanprismajlisafterAsr.However,someofHadhratRaiprisassociateswouldnotattend.Inthis regardHadhratRaiprionedaycomplainedtoHadhratSaharanpri: Hadhrat,insensitivityispredominating.Firstly,thesepeople(referringtohisassociates)should haverealisedthatwhenIamattendingregularly,theytooshouldensuretheirattendance.Secondly,I haveevenreprimandedthemfortheirabsence. HadhratSaharanpri(rahmatullahalayh)respondedforcefully: Hadhrat,never!Ifeelhighlyembarrassedinthis(i.e.inanyattempttocanvassotherstoattendhis bayaan).IneverexhortedanyonetobecomebayttomyShaikh(HadhratQutbelamGangohi).I considermyShaikhtobetheSun(ofspiritualguidanceandillumination).Whoeverisnotkeento derivecelestialilluminationfromhim,istheloserhimself.

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Hadhratthenpointingtomesaid: Itisthehabitofthisfatherandson(referringtomyselfandmyfather)toclingtothepersonwho offerseventheslightestattentiontothem. Infact,IhadforseveraldaysrepeatedlyrequestedHadhrat: Hadhrat,acertainpersonisverysincere.AlthoughheisdevotedtoHadhrat,hecompletelyabstains fromthikrandshaghl.Hadhratshouldwriteinstructinghimtoobservethikr. EachtimeHadhratsresponsewouldbe: Whenheasks,Iwillinstruct.WhyshouldIshowhimwhenhedoesnotenquire? AdaybeforetheepisodeofHadhratRaipri,IsaidtoHadhratSaharanpri(rahmatullahalayh): Ifyoupermit,Ishallmyselfwritetothatperson(i.e.thesinceredevoteereferredtoabove). Hadhratreplied: Dontwriteanythingonmybehalf.Youmaywritewhateveryouwish. Asmentionedearlier,onarrivalinMadinahTayyibah,Hadhratengrossedhimselfinthecompletion ofhisKitaab,BazlulMajhoodwhichhadreachedtheforthvolumepriortoarrivalinMadinah Tayyibah.OnreachingMadinahTayyibah,HadhratcommencedwithKitaabulJanaaiz.Inthe beginningofthemanuscriptofBazlulMajhoodwritteninMadinahTayyibah,thefollowingis recorded: 13thMuharram1345Hijri,SaturdayinMadinahMunawwarah. ThesolitudewhichHadhratexperienced,coupledtothebarakaatofMadinahTayyibahenabledhim tocompleteoneandahalfvolumesin7months.ThreeandahalfvolumesofBazlulMajhood werecompletedinapproximately9yearswhileoneandahalfvolumeswereaccomplishedin7 months.TheworkwaswritteninMaulanaSayyidAhmadsroomasmentionedearlier.Butforthe acquisitionofbarkat,itscompletionwasrenderedinMusjidunNabawiintheblessedplaceknown asRaudhatumminRiyaadhilJannat(aGardenfromtheGardensofJannat).Thus,attheendof BazlulMajhoodHadhratwrote: WiththetaufeeqandstrengthgrantedbyAllahTaala,ithasbeenaccomplishedinMadinah Munawwarah,inRaudhatumminRiyaadhilJannatneartotheGraveoftheLeaderoftheprogenyof dam,theLeaderofcreationandtheuniverse,onthe21stShabaan1345fromthemigrationof NabiyyulAmeen.OAllah!AcceptitfromusasyouacceptfromYourcloseandpiousservants. MakeitpurelyforyourGraciousSakeandforgiveusforoursins,errorsandactswhicharenot pleasingtoyou.Verily,Youaremostforgivingandgracious.YouaretheRabbWhoisoftforgiving andmerciful. HadhratwasoverwhelmedwithhappinessonthecompletionofBazlulMajhood.Onthe accomplishmentofhiswork,HadhratentertainedtheUlamaofMadinahtoalavishfeast.The invitationwasprintedinArabic.TheoriginalinvitationistogetherwiththemanuscriptofBazlul MajhoodintheMadrasahlibrary.Itisreproducedhereunder:

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BismillaahirRahmaanirRaheem AllPraiseisdueuntoAllah,TheOne.SalaatandSalaambeuponhimafterwhomtherewillbeno Nabi. HonourableHadhratShaikh Mayyourfuyoodhendure. AssalaamuAlaikumwarahmatullahiwabarakatuhu. AllahTaalahasfavouredtheonewhoinextendingthisinvitation,withthecompilationofBazlul MajhoodwhichistheSharah(commentaryandelucidation)ofAbuDawood.Hehasgrantedits completionintheHolyCityofSaahibulMujizaat(thePerformerofMiracles).Maythechoicest blessingbeonhimandhisfamily.MayAllahTaalaacceptitforHisGraciousSakeandmayHe permitIslamandtheMuslimeentoderivebenefittherefrom,Aameen. YourpresenceisdesiredafterSalaatulJumaonthe23rdShabaan1345atMadrasatulUloomish Shariyyahtoparticipateinmealsinconclusionofmyhappiness.Yourpresenceisbeinganticipated. ShukruntoAllah.Wassalaam. Theinviter, KhaadimoftheTalabah KhalilAhmad Thedottedlinesarethespacewherethenameoftheinvitedpersonwaswritten. AfterthecompletionofBazlulMajhood,themorningpartwhichwasformerlydevotedtowriting thisKitaab,aswasexplainedearlier,wasnowutilizedalsoforstudyingWafaaulWafaaandother bookswhichhadaccumulatedduringHadhratsstayinMadinahTayyibah. Afewdayslater,themubarakmonthofRamadhaancommenced.Duringtheholymonth,Hadhrat wouldengageintilawatafterIshraaqforaconsiderabletime.Thenafterashortnapwouldhereturn totheMusjidbeforeZawwaal.HewouldreturnhomeafterZuhr.Ammajee,aswellasmyselfwould listentoHadhratsQuraan.AfterZuhr,IwouldpresentmyselfatHadhratsplaceofresidenceatthe appointedtime. Accordingtotheusualpractice,HadhratwouldproceedafterAsrtotheresidenceofHadhrat MaulanaSayyidAhmad(rahmatullahalayh).HewouldleaveforMusjideNabawiashortwhile beforeMaghribandmakeiftaartherewithdatesandZamZamwater.AfterMaghrib,Hadhratwould recitetwojuzinNaflSalaatontheroofofMadrasahUloomeShariyyahandIwouldlistentohis recitation.HewouldsitandperformthisNafl. AfterperformingIshaSalaatinMusjideNabawi,HadhratwouldreturntotheMadrasahand performTaraaweehbehindQaariMuhammadTaufeeqSahibwhorecitedtwojuzwithutmost reverenceandtranquillity.TheTaraaweehwouldendat5oclockArabictimeor12:30a.m. Hewouldthenretireforarestatabout6oclockArabictime(1:30a.m.).Iwasinstructedtowake himat8oclockArabictime(3:30a.m.).Besidesoneortwooccasions,Icannotrememberfinding Hadhratsleeping. ThereafterHadhratwouldlistentotwojuzoftwostudentsofMadrasahShariyyah.Hewouldlisten tothemseparately,followingeachstudent(inNaflSalaat).Hadhratwasenthusiasticaboutlistening

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totheQiraatofNaafi.BoththesestudentswereMaalikisandrecitedaccordingtotheQiraatof Naafi. TowardstheendoftheHolyMonthHadhratbecameaffectedwithparalysis,hencehemovedabout withdifficulty.TheparalysishadinfactbegunafteraccomplishmentofBazlulMajhoodwhenhe wasafflictedwithseverefever,colds,etc.But,astheresultofthebarkatoftheHolyMonth,these illnessesdisappearedwiththedawnofRamadhaanMubaarak.However,theillnessreappearedtwo orthreedaysbeforeEidandthenparalysissetin.Sometimesthesicknesswoulddisappearand sometimesreappear.Thispatternremaineduntilthetimeofhisdemise. Inreality,HadhrathealthandstrengthwereintheaccomplishmentofBazlulMajhood.Attheendof theHolyMonthheexperiencedtheeffectsofpartialparalysis.Thistoo,wouldsometimedisappear, onlytoreappearlater.EvenonEidulFitr,theeffectoftheparalysiswaspredominant.Hewas, therefore,unabletoattendtheEidSalaatintheHaramShareef.However,later(afterallhadleftfor theEidSalaat),heregainedsomestrength.WiththeaidofastickhelimpedtowardstheMusjid Shareef. AfterwehadreturnedfromMadinahTayyibah,HadhratwouldcontinueattendingtheHaram Shareef,albeitwithsomedifficulty.InthemonthofRabiuthThaani1346,theseverityofhisillness intensified.Fever,coldsandparalysisincreased.Sometimes,thesicknesswouldlessen.Whenthe severityofhisillnessincreasedhecouldnotgotoMusjideNabawi.However,whenhefelt somewhatbetter,hewouldgototheMusjidwiththesupportofastickandanassistant. InthefirstweekofRabiuthThaani1346heexperiencedapaininthechest,whichwoulddisappear bymassaging. Inthesecondweek,ontherequestofsomeUlamaofMadinah,heopenedthedars(class)ofAbu DawoodShareefafterAsrattheresidenceofMaulanaSayyidAhmad.Afterimpartinglessonsfor twodays,SaturdayandSunday,whilereturningfromZuhrSalaatonMonday,hementionedthathe wasagainexperiencingpainonthechest.Headdedthathehadfeltasimilarpainthreeorfourdays earlier,whichdisappearedwithintwoorthreehoursaftermassaging.Onreachingthehouse,hewas massaged.AtthetimeofAsralthoughthepainhaddecreased,theweaknessdidnotpermithimto gototheHaramShareef.HeperformedAsrSalaatathomebehindMolviSayyidAhmadSahib. Inspiteofhisweakness,hestoodandperformedSalaat. Hisweaknessincreasedandinsteadoffeelingfeverishhestartedtofeelcoldandperspired.He couldnotperformMaghribstanding.Evenwhilesitting,herequestedMolviSayyidAhmadSahibto performtheSalaatshortandquickly.HisconditiondeterioratedandheperformedIshaSalaatsitting onthebed.HespentthenightinrestlessnessrecitingtheKalimah,IstighfaarandDurood.Hedidnot getawinkofsleep. TuesdaymorningheagainperformedFajrSalaatsittingonthebed.Hisperspirationandcoldness wentonincreasing.Itwasclearthatthismorningwashislastmorning.Medicationcarriedonduring theday. AtthetimeofZuhrhewasovercomewithsomuchweaknessthathewasunabletomakewudhu. WithtayammumheperformedSalaatsittingonthebed.Thereafter,movementbecamevery difficult.

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ByAsrtimehisconditionhadfurtherdeterioratedgreatly.HeperformedAsrwithmuchdifficulty. ByMaghribhenolongerhadanystrengthtolifthimself.ThekhuddaamperformedtheirSalaat separatelyandwerewaitinginanticipationforHadhrattoslightlyrecoverforMaghribSalaat.But Hadhratsrelationshipwiththeworldwascompletelysevered.BesidesPaasAnfaas(thisisamethod ofthikrbybreathing),nothingelsewasdiscernible.Hedidnotrespondtoanytalknoraskanything. TwentyfourhourshadpassedincompletesilenceandonThursday16thRabiuthThaani1346in Arabia,and15thRabiuthThaani1346inIndia,Hadhratreachedhisfinaldestinationproclaiming aloudAllah!Allah!And,suddenlyheclosedhiseyesandwassilent. Inspiteoftheshorttimeavailable,thearrangementsforburialwerequicklyaccomplished.Sayyid AhmadTawwabSahibgavetheghuslwhileAbusSaudhandedonwater.MolviSayyidAhmadand MolviAbdulKareemassisted.TheJanaazahwasquicklypreparedandwasbroughtoutsidethe MusjidShareefandplacedneartheBaabeJibraeelfortheJanaazahSalaat.AfterMaghribSalaat, MaulanaShaikhTayyib,theRectorofMadrasahShariyyahconductedtheJanaazahSalaat.The JanaazahwasthereaftertakentoJannatulBaqi(theqabrustanincloseproximitytoMusjidun Nabawi). Inspiteofthefactthatbecauseoflittletimeavailable,thenewsofHadhratsdemisecouldnotbe disseminated,thecrowdwassolargethatnumerouspeoplecouldnotgaintheopportunitytoapply theirshouldertotheJanaazahasmuchastheyendeavouredtodoso.Infact,itwasconsidereda greatboontobeabletosimplytouchtheJanaazah. FinallyhiscelestialbodywhichhaddissolvedandwasconsumedbythefireofDivineLovewas assignedtothegravebeforeIshaa.Thatnightwasthenightofextremehappiness,forHadhrathad repeatedlyexpressedinbothwordandwriting: Wouldthatmysand(body)bemingledwiththeholysandofBaqi. Alhamdulillah!Hiswishwasfulfilled.

MiscellaneousAnecdotes
1)OntheoccasionofHadhratsfifthHajjwhenhewenttoMusjidulHaraamforTawaafeQudoom, I(i.e.MaulanaZafarAhmadThanwi)wassittingbyMaulanaMuhibbuddinwhowasamongthe seniorKhulafaaofHadhratHajiImdadullah.HewasalsowellknownasaSaahibeKashf(onewho receivesinspirationfromAllahTaala).AtthattimeMaulanawasrecitinghiswirdfromaDurood Kitaab.Suddenlyheturnedtomeandsaid: WhohasenteredtheHaramatthistime?TheentireHaramisfilledwithanwaar(celestial illumination). Iremainedsilent.SuddenlyweobservedHadhratSaharanpri(rahmatullahalayh)whohadjust completedhistawaafheadingtowardsBaabusSafaafortheSaee.HecameneartoMaulana MuhibbuddeenSahibwhostoodup,smiledandcommented: ItoocansaywhohastodaycometotheHaram.

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HethenshookhandsandembracedHadhratwhoproceededfortheSaee. MaulanaMuhibbuddeensatagainonhisplaceandsaidtome: BrotherZafar,MaulanaKhalilisanembodimentofNoor.HeisnothingbesidesNoor.Ididnotsee MaulanaRashidAhmadSahib.IwastoldthathewasaQutubulIrshaad.HavingseenMaulanas KhulafaIcansaythattruly,hewasQutubulIrshaad,henceheproducedsuchperfectmen(suchas HadhratKhalilAhmad). 2)Maulana shiqIlahiSahibwrites: Hadhratrarelyemployedthepowerofhisheart.Hewouldresorttoitonlyonspecialoccasionsof need.TherewasadebateinSahaaranprbetweenMuslimsandanAryah.TheAryahwastransferred fromRoopritoSahaaranpr.Hadhratwaspresentinthegathering.MolviKifayatullahandMolvi AhmadullahwereappointedbytheMuslimstorecordinwritingtheproceedings.However,Molvi AhmadullahbecametiredandthedutydevolvedentirelyonMolviKifayatullah. Inthedebate,onthesideoftheAryahwasayoung,handsomeSaadhucladinredgarb.Hewas reclininginanarmchair.WhenaMuslimspeakerwouldcommencehisspeech,theSaadhuwould situp,lowerhishead(i.e.heresortedtohispowerofmesmerising/hypnotising).Inconsequence,the speechesoftheMuslimspeakerswouldbeextremelydisjointedandpoor.EvenMaulanaAbdulHaq HaqqaniwasunabletopresenthisspeechonDaurandTasalsul(thesearetechnicaltermsinthe scienceoflogic). I(i.e.Maulana shiqIlahi)thenwroteanotetoMirzaAzeezBeg,thechairman,informinghimthat whenaMuslimspeakertookthestandtospeak,thenthisyogicasthishypnotisinginfluence, therefore,MaulanaKhalilAhmadSahibshouldbenotified.Thechairmanpassedthenoteto Hadhrat.Immediatelyafterreadingthenote,Hadhratcastdownhishead.Thuscommencedthe battleofHaqqandBaatilbetweenthespiritualheartsofthetwo.Withintwominutes,theSaadhu stoodupfromthearmchairlookingrestless,andleftthegathering. Thereafter,thespeechesoftheMuslimspeakerswereliketheoceanletloose.Intheend,eleven peopleembracedIslam. Duringtheafternoonmealsonthesameday,Hadhratsaid: IfirmlybelievedthatIslamwouldremaindominant.Haqdominatesandcannotbedominated. But,AllahTaalaisindependent.Hisfearshouldbeatalltimesandwitheveryone. 3)AftertheannualJalsahofMadrasahMazaaharulUloom,thevisitorsfromoutsidehadleft.The trainforPunjaabarrivedfirstandthetravellersforPunjaabtookuptheirseats. ASaadhucomingfromHardawaar,whoalsohappenedtobeonthetrainenquiredaboutthelarge gatheringonthestation.AkhaadimofHadhratinformedhimthathereinSahaaranprwasagreat Shaikhandpeoplefromvariousplaceshadcometomeethim.Theywerenowreturninghome.After theSaadhuenquiredfurtheraboutHadhrat,hesatdownsilently. Thekhaadimafterwardsexplainedthatafterawhileheexperiencedanalienfeelingandsevere pressureonhisheart.Therewasnoindicationastothecauseofthisconditionsettlingoverthe khaadim.Hisheartwasgrippedbyfearandbewilderment.Hewasunabletodistinguishnightfrom daynorwasheawarewhetherhewasinagatheringoralone.Hewascaughtinaspellofextreme bewildermentinspiteofthecoachbeingpackedtocapacity.Heevenlosttheabilityofspeech.
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Whileembroiledinthisfearfulstate,hesuddenlysawtheresemblanceofHadhratSaharanpriwhose reflectioncommencedtofallonhisheartandheheardaninnervoicecommanding: Recite! Althoughthetonguewasdumbandnumb,hestartedthisthikrwithhisheart.Withinafewminutes theterribleconditiondisappearedandserenitywasrestoredtohisheartandhisearsresumed hearing.HeheardtheSaadhusaying: Truly,yourGru(i.e.Hadhrat)ishighlyqualifiedandverypowerful. Thekhaadimsaidthathethenunderstoodthatthespelloverhimwastheinnerinfluencewhichthe Saadhuwasexercising.He(thekhaadim)thentauntedtheSaadhu: Isthisallyoucoulddisplay?Atleastyoushouldhavedemonstratedbetterability! TheSaadhuwasdejectedandhisfacedisplayedhisdefeat.Heturnedawayandneverspokeagain. 4)MaulanaZafarAhmadnarrates: IwassixyearsintheserviceofHadhratSaharanpri.IdonotrememberHadhratmissingTakbir eTahrimahexceptononeoccasion.Whilemakingwudhu,hisgumsbled.Thebleedingcontinued foraconsiderabletime.HesentthekhaadimtotheMusjidwiththeinstructionnottodelaythe Namaaz.OnthatdayhemissedTakbireTahrimahbecauseofavalidreason,butevenonthatday hedidnotmisstherakat. 5)OntheoccasionofHadhratGangohisdemise,thepeopleweregrieving.Itwasthetimeof Jumuah.HadhratobservedamanwailingingriefandprofessinghisloveforHadhratGangohi.He wascryingout: Oh!LetmemakeziyaaratofHadhrat. ItbecamedifficultforpeopletoperformNamaaz(onaccountofhisantics),butbecausethey regardedthismantobeanardentdevoteeofHadhratGangohi,noonesaidanything.Hadhrat SaharanpriwentintotheMusjidandafterwhisperingsomethingtoShaikhulHindHadhratMahmdul Hasan,hecameoutside.Inangerheadmonishedthemansaying: Iknowthatyouareverymuchgrieved.IknowthatyouareHadhratsdevotee. ThenHadhratorderedthemantobeexpelledfromtheMusjid.Hesaid: PuthimoutoftheMusjid.HeisneitherHadhratskhaadimnorhasheloveforHadhrat. Allthepeopleweresurprised. Afterwardsitwasascertainedthathewasabidatiwhohadappliedtohishandakindofpowder whichwouldblackenthefaceifrubbedon.ThisdiscoverywasindeedakaraamatofHadhrat GangohiandthefiraasatofHadhratSaharanpriwhosawthroughthepretenceofthisman. 6)OnceontheoccasionoftheannualJalsahofMazaaharalUloom,morethantheexpectednumber ofguestscamefromthevillages.Thefoodpreparedwasnotsufficientforevenhalfthenumber.The Madrasahsofficialsweregreatlyperturbed.Therewasnotimetopreparemorefood.Maulana AbdulLatiefexplainedthepositiontoHadhrat.Hesaid:Coverthefoodwithsheets.Iamcoming now.Hadhratcame,readsomething,madeduaforbarkatandblewonthefood.Hetheninstructed thatthepotsbekeptcoveredwiththeclothsandthefoodshouldbetakenoutfromunderthecloths. Alhamdulillah!Alltheguestsateandalargequantityoffoodwasleftover.
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7)OnceHadhratSaharanpri,takingwithhimMaulanaZafarAhmadwenttoseeMolviAbdullahJan (anattorney).AlongthewayMaulanaZafarAhmadwondered: WhydoesHadhratgotosuchgentlemenwithoutbeingcalled.Ifheinvites(Hadhrat),thenitwould bedifferent. Asthisthoughtoccurred,HadhratturningtoMaulanaZafarAhmadsaid: MolviAbdullahJansheartisverygoodeventhoughheappearslikeamanoftheworld. MaulanaZafarAhmadwashighlyembarrassed. 8)AmaliciousBarelwi(Bidati)complainedaboutHadhrattotheseniorofficerinchargeofthe HarameNabawi(MusjidulNabi).HeinformedtheofficerwhowasaTurk,asfollows: AtthismomentamanissittinginMusjideNabawiimpartinglessons.Hisbeliefsregarding NabieAkram()arenotgood.Infactheisdisrespectful. TheTurkishofficerwentredwithangerandstormedofftoBaaburRahmatwhereHadhratwas engagedindars.WhentheTurkishofficerseyesfellontheblessedfaceofHadhratSaharanpri,his angerimmediatelydissipated.Heremainedforawhilestandingandlisteningtothetalk.Hethen spontaneouslyexclaimed: OShaikh!Amancomplainedaboutyou,buthavingseenyourfaceIunderstandhimtobealiar. Thisisnotthefaceofaliar. Aftertheofficerhadexplainedthecomplaint,Hadhratsaid: Theyslanderusandourseniors,distortourwordsandpublicisefalsehood.Wehaveassignedour mutualdisputetoAllahTaala. TheofficertoldHadhrattocontinuewithhisauspiciousdarsinpeace. 9)AkhaadimwrotetoHadhrat: Hadhrat,thefearofpublicityisattachedtoThikrbilJahr(makingthikraudibly).Peoplewillregard oneasapiousperson.Thus,thereexiststhepossibilityofriya(show). Hadhratsaid: InshaAllah,therewillnotbethefearofshowandpublicity.Inthisage,thosewhotakeAllahs NameorpursueDeeniknowledgearebrandedmad.Thus,thequestionofriyadoesnotapply.Riya pertainstosuchactswhichareviewedwithfavourbypeople. 10)Hadhratsaid: Thikrshouldbewithwudhu.Infact,aSaalikshouldbeperpetuallywithwudhuandshouldrecite IsmeZaatorNafiIthbaatcarefullyandwithserenity.Attentionshouldbepaidtothemeanings.Itis besttowakeupinthelaterpartofthenightandengageinthikrafterTahajjud.Itisthetimeof barkat(blessings)andqubliyat(acceptance).Furthermore,greaterpeaceandtranquillitysettleonthe heartatthistime. 11)Hadhratwouldfrequentlysay: Myrelationship(withaperson)isalongwiththebeard.Ifthebearddisappears,myrelationship (withthatperson)toocomestoanend. 12)Hadhratsaid: ThedressofChristians,shavingthebeardorcuttingit,womenwearingmalelikeshoes,reduction

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inpurdah,etc.,havebecomeauniversalcalamitywhichhasspreadlikeanepidemic.Whomeverone looksat,iscaughtupinthisdisease,exceptafew.Accordingtothem,keepingabeardisneithera salientfeature(shiaar)ofIslamnorthewayofMuhammad(.)Infact,theyhavean abhorrencefortheappearanceofIslam.InsuchconditionstheacquisitionofAllahsloveis impossible.(I.e.Poepleofthisattitudecannotgaindivinelove.) 13)Hesaid: TheSaalikshouldensurethatheconsumeshalaalfoodsothatnooraaniyat(spiritualglitter) developsinhim.Itisnecessarytoabstainfromharaamandmushtabah(doubtfulthings)because theseproducezulmat(spiritualdarkness). 14)GiftsshouldbeacceptedfromonlysuchpeoplewhogiveoutoftrueloveorwhohaveaDeeni relationshipforalawfulmotive.Giftsshouldnotbeacceptedfromthosewhohaveworldlymotives orunlawfulmotives. 15)Ifthegreaterpartofamansearningsisharaamormushtabah(doubtful),donotaccepthim invitation.However,donotpryintotheaffairsandconditionsofMuslimswithoutvalidreason. 16)TheessenceofMuraaqabah(meditation)istoguardtheheart.Theaimistokeeptheheartalert bydivertingitofallthoughtsbesidesAllahTaala.Thepractiseofclosingtheeyesandsittingwith headloweredismerelytocreateinbeginnersthehabitofdevelopingsolitude.Graduallytheheart becomesaccustomedtosolitude(andconcentration).Thenmuraaqabahbecomesapermanent condition,neverendingatanytime. 17)Thelittleibaadatrenderedwithsincerityandconstancyisfarsuperiorthantheabundant ibaadatrenderedwithoutsincerityandconstancy.Allthebarakaatofibaadatandriyaadhatare relatedtokhuloos(sincerity)andmudaawamat(constancy). 18)GreaterattentionshouldbeaccordedtoTahajjudNamaaz.Itistheoutstandingfeature(shiaar) oftheSaaliheen(Auliya).Itisexceptionallybeneficialfordevelopingroohaaniyat(spirituallustre andstrength).Ifitismissedduringthenight,12rakatsshouldbeperformedaftersunrise. 19)ThepurposeofTariqat(Tasawwuf)istoloseinterestintheworldandinwhateverthereisinit, andtogroundinthehearttheloveofAllahandHisRasool.Thegazeshouldnotbedivertedfrom thispurpose. 20)KashfeQuboor(revelationoftherealmofthegraves)andKashfeKauniyah(revelationofthe spiritualrealmofactivities)arenotworthyofattention.Allsuchthingsarethesportsoftheinfants ofSulook.Frequentlysuchthingsbecomeformostpeopledangerousandpreventthemfrom attainingthetruegoalofSulook. 21)TwothingsareextremelyharmfulfortheSaalikrelationshipwithbidahandingratitudefor thebountiesofAllah. RemainattachedtotheMenofAllah.Ifonehastheirloveintheheart,InshaAllah,oneskhaatimah (endordeath)willneverbebad.ItthereismaliceintheheartfortheMenofAllah,abadkhaatimah (deathinkufr)isaverystronglikelihoodanddanger.Evenifonedoesnothing,mereentryintothe Silsilahisalsonotwithoutbenefit. 22)QurbeIlahi(NearnesstoAllah)andbarkatwillincreaseaccordingtothedegreeofincreaseof

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thepresenceofheartandobediencetotheSunnah.

HisWorks
AllahTaalahascreatedHadhratSaharanpriamanofmanyattributes.Whilehisspiritualbenefitson theonehandarebeingperpetuatedintheformofMadrasahMazaaharalUloom,ontheotherhanda greatandwonderfulorganisationoftarbiyatisrelatedtohim.Thentherearehisbookswhichhehad compiledandwrittenafterlongandthoroughresearchandindepthstudy.Thesearewonderful objectsinhismemory.Someofhisworkswereoccasionedbyspecificcircumstances.Thesebooks willbebrieflyoutlined. 1)Aftercompletionofhisacademicstudiesin1288Hijri(1871),hisnaturaldesireforthesubjectof Adab(ArabicLiterature)tookhimtoLahore.AfteraccomplishinghisstudyatLahore,hismaternal uncle,HadhratMaulanaYaqbsenthimtoMunsriHilltotranslateQaams(afamousArabic dictionary)intoUrdu.AlthoughthiswasHadhratsfirstliteraryundertaking,itcouldnotbe ascertainedifthebookwascompletedornot. 2)Hadhrathadwrittenavoluminousbookof888pagesinrefutationofShiismin1306whilehe wasemployedastheSadrMudarris(ChiefUstaad)ofMadrasahDinyaatinBhawalpr.Thenameof thebookisHidaayaaturRashidilaaIfhaamilAneed. ThisbookwastheoutcomeofnumerousdebatesanddisputesinitiatedwithHadhratbyamalicious, antiSunnifollowerofShiism,viz.oneSayyidChiraghShahwhowastheadministrativeofficer(in chargeofDeenieducationinBhawalpr). 3)MolviAbdusSamiRamprihadpublishedabook,AnwaareSaatiahontheissueofMouloodand Faatihah.Thisbookwasanendeavourtoprovethevalidityonthecustomaryactsofbidatrelatedto thesepractices.Inthisbooktheauthormadeaconcertedattempttopassoffinnovationarycustoms intheguiseofSunnatandMustahab.Inrefutationofthisbook,Hadhratwrote,AlBaraahinul QaatiahalaaZullaamilAnwaarisSaatiahin1304.Itconsistsof279pages. 4)HafizAmirullahBarelwiwasinvolvedwithaShiahinadebateonsomecontentiousmasaail.He wenttotheUlamaofBarelwiforaid.But,theycouldoffernone.MolviAhmadRazaKhansaidin responsetohisrequest:Giveathousandrupeesandtaketheanswer.Whenaskedthereasonfor wantingthislargesum,herepliedthatitwasneededtopurchasebooksonShiismwhichwillbe studied.Thereafterananswerwouldbeforthcoming. Finally,HafizAmirullahwasconstrainedtogotoHadhratSaharanpriwhowrotedowntheanswers immediately.Hethencommencedwritingabookonthesubject.Thebookconsistsof143pagesand itsnameisMatraqatulKaaraamatalaaMiratilImaamat. Afterpublicationofthisbook,Hadhratlivedfor40years,butnovotaryofShiismcouldrefuteit. HafizAmirullah,despitehisdifferences(withHadhratontheissuesofBidah)wasstunnedbythe answersgivenbyHadhrat.ThroughouthislifeheacknowledgedthatHadhratwasaunique Allaamahofhistime. 5)Inabook,HussaamulHaramain,MolviAhmadRazaKhanBarelwihadattributedfalsebeliefsto theUlamaofDeobandandonthebasisofthisfalsehoodhebrandedtheUlamaofDeobandas

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kaafir.HemanagedtosecurethesignaturesoftheUlamaoftheHaramaininsupportofhisfalse pronouncement. Inconsequence,theUlamaofMadinahsentaquestionnaireof27questionstoHadhratSaharanpri. Inthesequestions,theysoughttoascertaintheAqaaid(Beliefs)oftheUlamaofDeoband.Hadhrat furnishedanswerscorroboratedbydetailedproofs.ThisbookisknownasAlMuhannadalal Mufannad.However,itspopularnameisTasdiqaatliDafitTalbeesaat.Itwaswrittenin1325and consistsof72pages. 6)TansheetulAthaanfiTahqiqiMahallilAthaanisabookletof32pages,writteninsubstantiationof thesecondAthaanofJumuahbeingrecitedinsidetheMusjid.Theissueisprovedbymeansof QuraanicandHadithproofs,bytheTaaamul(Practise)oftheSalfandbyIjmaa. 7)ItmaamunNiamwaswrittenin1313ontheinstructionofHadhratImdadullah.Itisatranslation oftheArabicKitaab,TabwibulHikamwhichdealswiththesubtletiesofTasawwufandMarifat. 8)BazlulMajhoodfiHalliAbiDawoodisauniqueSharah(Commentary)ofAbuDawoodShareef. ThishighlyauthoritativecommentarywastheproductofHadhratsnaturalaffinityforHadithand Fiqh.Thefruitofhisexpertiseanddepthinthesetwosubjectscouldonlybeanincomparableand highlyauthoritativeworkonwhichtheUlamaofHadithcanreposetheirconfidencewhileviewing itwithpride. TheinspirationtoembarkonthisworkhadrepeatedlyoccurredtoHadhrat,butduetovarious circumstances,themostimportantbeinghispreoccupationwithhisteachingprofession, commencementwasdelayed.OverwhelmingenthusiasmfinallycompelledHadhrattobeginthis task.On2ndRabiulAwwal1335allthosebooksneededforthisundertaking,wereacquiredfrom thelibraryofMazaaharalUloom.Onthe3rdor4thRabiulAwwal1335theworkofwritingthis kitaabwascommencedinthatroomofDaarulTalabahwhichtodayistheMadrasahstreasury. ShakingpalsyhadalreadybeguninHadhratshand.Thedutyofwriting,therefore,devolvedonthis humbleone(i.e.ShaikhZakariyyah).Althoughtherewasanoccasionalchangeofscribes,the EternalScribe(AllahTaala)hadchosenthisfortuneforme.Thewritingultimatelydevolved entirelyonme. On30thThilQadh1335,after9months,onechapterofAbuDawoodShareefwascompleted.At thetimeofcommencingthiscommentary,Hadhratneverimaginedthatitwouldbeaccomplished.In fact,theintentioninitiallywastocompleteonlyonePara(chapter).Afterhavingaccomplishedthe firstchapter,workstartedonKitaabutTahaaratandthenonKitaabusSalaat.Withtheendingof KitaabusSalaat,theurgetoaccomplishthefirstvolumedeveloped. Theworkwasinprogressuntil1344whenHadhratdepartedforHijaaz.Inhisenthusiasmto completethetask,hetookmealong.InMadinahwewerefullyoccupiedinthiswork.Onthe21st Shabaan1345after10years,5monthsand10daystheSharah(Annotation)wasfinally accomplished.InhappinessHadhrathadinvitedtheUlamaofMadinah.ThisKitaabconsistsof2063 largepages.

HadhratsKhulafaa
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ThenamesofHadhratskhulafaaappearhereunder: HadhratHafizQamruddin,ImaamoftheSahaaranprMusjid HadhratMaulanaMuhammadYahyaKandhalwi MaulanaAbdullahGangohi AlHajMuhammadHusainHabshi(intheNaqshabandiSilsilah) HadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyas(FounderoftheTablighiJamaat) HafizFakhruddinGhaziabad MaulanaHafizFaizulHasanGangohi HadhratMaulanaashiqIlahiMeerati MaulanaRashidAhmad(MudarrisofAnjumanHidayaturRashidofGart).

CONCLUSION
Asmentionedatthebeginning,themanuscriptofthisbookhadcommencedin1335Hijri.Like manyothermanuscripts,thisonetooremainedincompleteonaccountofmyinvolvementwith Hadithwhichwasincreasingbytheday. Nowadaysmygrandson,MolviShahid,mudarrisatMadrasahMazaaharalUloom,isinpossession ofmymanuscripts.Asaresultofhiseffortsanddevotion,checkingofthesemanuscriptshasbeen completedafterseveralmonths.Changesanddeletionshadalsotobemade.Importantadditions werealsoeffected. IhavealwaysregardedthepresenceofMaulanaAlHajMuftiMuhmdHasanSahibtheSadrMufti ofDaarulUloomDeoband,ofMaulanaMuhammadaqilandofMolviMuhammadSalman necessary.However,duetotheiroccupationstheycouldmaketimeavailableforcheckingthisbook onlyonFridays.EveryFridaytheywouldspendafewhoursonthisbook. Today,the16thRabiulAwwal1393Hijri,thisbookwascompletedpurelybythekindnessandgrace ofAllahTaala.  MuhammadZakariyyahKandhalwi.

ANEXPLANATORYNOTE
WhilethisbookonthehistoryoftheChishtiMashaikhwasbeingcompliedandprepared,theidea wasalwaysinmymindtoendthiscompilationwithanaccountofthelifeofmyShaikh,Hadhrat AqdasShaikhulHadithMaulanaMuhammadZakariyyahSahib,becausehetooisalinkofthis goldenchain. Myhopeandwishofthismademeclamournightanddayforthequickcompletionofthisbook.But thebiggesthurdlefortherealisationofmywishwasthefactthatasecondglancehadnecessarilyto begiventothisaddendum(pertainingtoHadhratZakarriyahslife).But,thepersonality(viz.Shaikh Zakariyyah)whohadlistenedtothewholebookfromthefirstlinetothelast,makingcorrection, additions,etc.,wasnotpreparedtolistentoevenasinglelinepertainingtohimself.Ihave experiencedthisselfsameattitudemanytimesinthepast.
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Onthisoccasion,duringameetingoftheUlama,Ialludedtomywish(tohavehislifestory includedinthebook).Butheabruptlyandemphaticallyrefused.Expressinghisrefusalwith vehemencehesaid: Itshallnotbeso.Absolutelynot. Ithereforehadnohopeofgaininghiscooperationonthisscore.But,topublishthebookwithout someonecheckingit,wasdifficult.However,thehonourableMaulanaMuftiMahmdHasanGangohi accededtomyrequest.Hehasreadthisarticlefrombeginningtoend.Inthismanner, Alhamdulillah,thisaddendumhasbecomereliablyaccreditedandauthentic. MuhammadShahid 7thRabiulAwwal1393Hijri

HADHRATAQDASSHAIKHULHADITH MUHAMMADZAKARIYYAH(rahmatullah alayh)

HadhratShaikhwasborninthetownofKandhlah,districtMuzaffarnagaron11thRamadhaanul Mubaarak1315Hijri,Thursday11p.m.Ontheseventhdayhisfather,HadhratMaulanaMuhammad YahyacametoKandhlah.Standingatthedoorofthehouseheexpressedthewishtohaveaquick lookatthenewbornbaby.Thisdesirewasinconflictwiththecustomarypracticeofshameand honourinvogueinthatage.Sincethiswasunheardofandinviolationofcustom,mostinmatesof thehouseweresurprised.However,somewomenfolksaid: Afterall,heisthefatheranddesirestoseehischild.Whatiswronginthis? Thebabywassenttohim.HadhratMaulanaYahyahadbroughtalongthebarber.Atasign,the barbershavedoffthebabyshair.Hesentthehairinsidewiththemessage: Ihaveattendedtothehair.YoucanslaughterthegoatsandgiveinSadqahsilverequaltothe weightofthehair. InthiswayHadhratMaulanaYahyamanagedtoterminateacustomarypracticeforwhichelaborate arrangementsandplanswereinstituted.Heaccomplishedthiswithsuchsimplicity. (Thecustomreferredtohereisthepracticeoforganisingafeastfornamingthechild,etc.Many unIslamicactivitiesoccuratsuchcustomaryfunctionsTranslator) HadhratShaikhlivedinKandhlahuntilhewastwoandahalfyearsold.Inabouttheyear1318he wasmovedtoGangohwhereHadhratMaulanaMuhammadYahyauntilthistimelivedwithHadhrat Gangohi. HadhratShaikhZakariyyahsaidthatduringhisearlychildhoodhewouldclimbontoHadhrat Gangohiwhilehewassittingunderatreeandhughimmuch.WhenHadhratShaikhwasolder,he says,hewouldstandintheroadwaitingforHadhratGangohitocome.Whenhewouldarrive, HadhratZakariyyahwouldsingAssalaamuAlaikumloudlyintheformofaqiraat.Hadhrat

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Gangohitoowouldrespondwithgreataffectioninthesameway. AfterreachingGangoh,HadhratShaikhcommencedhisprimaryeducationbyapiousdoctor,Abdur RahmanSahib.QaidahBaghdadiwasalsolearntunderhim.ThereafterhebeganHifzoftheQuraan Majeedbyhisfather,HadhratMaulanaYahyawhoorderedthathisdailynewHifzlessonberecited 100times.AfterHifzoftheQuraan,theotherkitaabsstudiedwhileinGangohwereBeheshti Zewer,FarsiandUrduDeenikitaabs.MostoftheFarsibooksweretaughttohimbyhispaternal uncle,HadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyas.OnlytheprimarytextbooksofNahw(Arabicgrammar) weretaughttohimbyhisfather. InRajab1328HadhratcametoSahaaranprattheageof13whilehisfatherhadalreadysettledthere twoorthreeyearsearlier.HadhratMaulanaMuhammadYahyahadcometoSahaaranprtoteach HadithontheinsistenceofHadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmad.InSahaaranpr,HadhratShaikh ZakariyyahwastaughtafewprimaryArabictextbooksbyhisfather.HisUstaadsinthe philosophicalscienceswereHadhratMaulanaAbdulLatiefandMaulanaAbdulWahidSambhali. In1333HadhratShaikhwasdoinghisfinalyear,DreHadith.BesidesIbnMajah,hestudiedallthe HadithKitaabsbyhisfather.SinceIbnMajahwasbeingtaughtforanumberofyearsbyMaulana ThabitAliSahib,HadhratShaikhstudieditbyhim.BukhariandTirmiziShareefwerepursueda secondtimebyHadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmadonhisreturnfromHijaaz.Hadhratexpendedgreat effortandconcentrationinthepursuitofhisstudyinHadith.Heobservedtwothingsrigidly:Never wouldhemissalessonandneverwouldhestudywithoutwudhu.Inthisregard,HadhratShaikh writeinhisbiography,AapBeti: MarhoomAhmadHasanwasmyclassmate.Duringthecourseofthelessonsinclassifanyofus (AhmadHasanorI)requiredtotakewudhu,hewouldnudgetheotherwithhiselbowandleave immediately(tomakewudhu).Meanwhiletheotheronewouldsimultaneouslyraiseaquerywith myfather(i.e.Ustaad,tokeephimoccupieduntiltheotheronecameback).However,thismethod hadtoberesortedtoseldommaybeonceintwomonths.Myfatherhadgraspedfromouractions whatwashappening.This,infact,gavehimpleasure.OnceononesuchoccasionwhenHasan Ahmadleftafternudgingme,Isaidtomyfather: Hadhrat,inFathulQadeeritissaidIhadspokenwithoutthinkinganddidnotknowwhatwas writteninFathulQadeer. Myfatherburstoutlaughingandsaid: UntilthereturnofHasanAhmadIshallnarrateyouastory.WhatcanIdofightingwithyourFathul Qadeer. AftercompletinghisacademicstudieswhenHadhratwas32years,hewasappointedon1st Muharram1335asateacherintheprimarylevelatMazaaharalUloom.Themonthlywagewas15 rupees.KitaabssuchasUslushShaashi,IlmusSigha,etc.wereassignedtohim.Thesetwokitaabs weretransferredtoHadhratShaikhfromotherseniorUstaads.UslushShaashiwasformerlytaught byHadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyasandIlmusSighaabyHadhratMaulanaZafarAhmadThanwi. Besidesthese,hetaughtanotherfivekitaabs,viz.MiateAamilManzoom,SharheMiak, KhulaasahNohmir,NafhatulYamanandMunyatulMusalli. Inthenextyear,1335,hetaughtthefollowingkitaabs:Mirqaat,Qudri,SharahTahzib,Kaafiyah, NrulIedhaah,UslushShaashi,SharahJaamiandBehethFelBehethIsm.In1336therewasfurther promotion.HigherkitaabssuchasMaqaamaat,SabahMuallaqah,MirQutbu,KanzudDaqaaiq,

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etc.,wereassignedtoHadhratShaikh. Inviewofthecommencementofwritingthekitab,BazlulMajhoodin1336,mostlessonsduring 1337wereimpartedafterhours.Thus,HamaasahwastaughtafterIshaandsomeotherlessonsafter Asr. In1338HadhrataccompaniedhisShaikh,HadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmadtoHijaaz.Theyreturned inMuharram1339.ThesearchforthesubjectmatterforBazlulMajhoodandrecordingitwerethe responsibilitysolelyofHadhratShaikh.Inconsequencethereof,itbecamedifficulttoaccomplish theprescribedsyllabusassignedtohim.Therefore,fromMuharram1340hewasreleasedduringthe morningsfromhisteaching,todevotetoBazlulMajhood. InRajab1341,threechaptersofBukhariShareefweretransferredfromHadhratMaulanaAbdul LatieftoHadhratShaikh.FromShawwaal1341toShabaan1344,teachingMishkaatShareefwas hisresponsibility. InShawwaal1344HadhratagainaccompaniedHadhratShaikhMaulanaKhalilAhmadforHajj. AfterspendingayearinHijaaz,theyreturnedonthe18thSafar1346.OntheverysamedayAbu DawoodShareefwastransferredfromHadhratMaulanaAbdulLatieftoHadhratShaikh.Inthisyear healsotaughtNisaai,MuattaImaamMuhammadandfromthe12thtothe16thParaofBukhari Shareef. In1246theauthoritiesoftheMadrasahresolvedtoassignTirmiziShareeftoHadhratMaulana AbdurRahmanandBukhariShareeftoHadhratShaikhbecausetheadministrativedutiesofthe MadrasahsNazim,MaulanaAbdulLatiefhadmultipliedconsiderably.Thisplangreatlysaddened HadhratNazimSahibbecauseofthelossofhisoccupationofteachingHadith.HadhratShaikhs sensitiveandhonourabledispositionperceivedtheadverseaffectthisplanhadonHadhratMaulana AbdulLatief.HethereforesubmittedanalternativeplantotheMadrasahauthorities.Hisplan envisagedthatTirmiziShareefshouldalwaysremainbyHadhratMaulanaAbdurRahman.The openingofBukhariShareefshouldbebyHadhratNazimSahibandafterBaqriEidthefirstvolume ofBukhariShareefshouldbeassignedtohim(i.e.ShaikhZakariyyah).Thesecondvolumeshould betaughtbyHadhratNazimSahibafterMaghrib.ThisplanwasgladlyacceptedandHadhratNazim Sahibsdispleasuredissipated. TheMadrasahhadalsoassignedAbuDawoodShareeftoHadhratShaikh.Thisremainedthe positionuntil1375onaccountofHadhratNazimsjourneytoRangoonin1373.In1374,onaccount ofHadhratNazimSahibsprolongedindisposition,AbuDawoodShareefandbothvolumesof BukhariShareefwereassignedtoHadhratShaikh.WhenNazimSahibpassedaway,AbuDawood ShareefwastransferredtoHadhratMaulanaMuhammadAsadullahwhileBukhariShareefwas assignedtoHadhratShaikh.Duringthisperiodofteachingaverylargenumberofstudentsand otherssatinfrontofHadhratShaikhacquiringtheknowledgeofHadith. However,in1388hiseyesightbeganfailing.Inconsequencehewascompelledtoterminatethat auspiciousoccupationofhislife,viz.teachingHadith,whichwasforhimthelightoflife.This,in fact,wasadivinelybestowedfavour.ThecommentatoranddisseminatorofUloomeRashidiyyah (theknowledgeofImaamRabbaniMaulanaRashidAhmadGangohi)hadtoabandonhispost(of teachingHadith)fortheverysamereasonwhichobligedImaamRabbaniinthebeginningof1314to giveuphispostofteaching.(ImaamRabbanialsolosthiseyesight).ButAlhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah!AftertheterminationofDarseZaahiri(teachingkitaabsofZaahiriUloom)

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commencedtheengrossmentinDarseBaatini(instructingthemureedeeninmoralandspiritual upliftment).Thenumberoftheparticipantsinthesemorallessonsincreasedbytheday.Thetime whichwasformerlyconfinedtothefourwallsofDaarulHadith,wasnowdevotedtothetarbiyat (moraltraining)andtasfiyaheqalb(purificationoftheheart)ofcountlesspeople. MazaaharalUloomhadalwaysenjoyedaspecialcharacteristicwhichsustaineditsloftyruhaaniyat (spirituality),viz.,thepresenceofaSahibeNisbaatwhoseroohaanifuydhalwaysrainedontothe Madrasah.Innumerablepeoplequenchedtheirspiritualthirstfromtheserainsofroohaaniyat.From theauspiciouszaat(being)ofQutbe lamHadhratImaamRabbanitotheaugustpersonalityof HadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmadMuhajireMadaniisalongchainofsuchpuresoulswhowerethe Akhyaar(noblest)andSulahaa(piousorsaints)oftheUmmahandwhoseshadowsshadedthe Madrasah. IfDestiny(Taqdeer)hadnotdeliveredHadhratShaikhtoHadhratKhalilAhmadSaharanpri,the latterwouldhavebeenthelastlinkofthisspecialityenjoyedbytheMadrasah.In1333Hijriwhen HadhratSaharanpriwasleavingwiththeintentionofalongstayinHijaaz,numerouspeoplebecame bayttohim.Seeingthis,HadhratShaikhdecidedtoalsobecomebayt.Whenherequestedtobe accepted,HadhratSaharanprisaid:AftercompletingtheNawaafilofMaghrib,come.Maulana AbdullahGangohiwhowasHadhratSaharanpriskhalifahhadrequestedforrenewalofbayt.Both ofthembecamebayttoHadhratafterMaghribattheappointedtime. Hadhratshonourablefather,MaulanaMuhammadYahyaandHadhratShahAbdurRahimRaipri wereviewingwithmuchsurprisethisscene(i.e.theabundanceofpeoplebecomingbayt).Hadhrat Raipriexpressinghisapprovalmademuchdua. ThereafterHadhratShaikhwhollysubmittedhimselftohisShaikh.Hedevotedandsacrificedthe entirestockofhismentalandacademicabilitiesforthesakeofhisShaikh.Onesuchsampleisinthe formofthekitaab,BazlulMajhoodconsistingofthousandsofpagesforwhichHadhratShaikhhad todevoteallhiscapabilitiesandtime.HadhratSaharanprihimselfhadtimeandagainacknowledged thisyeomenserviceandsacrificeofHadhratShaikh.HehadexpressedhisgratitudetoHadhrat Shaikh(Zakariyyah)forthepresentformofBazlulMajhood. HadhratSaharanprihadinfactclaimedthatHadhratZakariyyahsbondoflovewithhimwas strongerthanthatofason.OncesomeoneaskedwhetherMolviZakariyyahwasHadhratsson.In responseHadhratSaharanprisaid: Yes!Evenmorethanason. SomeanecdotesregardingthemutualloveandconcernbetweenthisShaikhandhisMureedwill nowbenarrated. 1)HadhratShaikhsfirstmarriagetookplaceinhishometown,Kandhlah.HadhratSaharanpriand HadhratMaulanaShahMuhammadIlyaswenttoKandhlahtoattendthemarriage.Onreturningto Sahaaranpr,HadhratShaikhhadrefusedtotakehiswifewith,saying: Kandhlahisourhome.IwillstayhereafewdaysbeforegoingtoSahaaranpr.Itisdifficulttotake hertoSahaaranpr. Hearingthis,HadhratSaharanprisaid:Whoishetorefuse?Ihavecomeasthefathertoarrange thismarriage.

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2)OnceHadhratSaharanprihadresolvedtoexpelastudentfromtheMadrasah.HadhratShaikh opposedtheideaofexpulsion,sayingthatthismovewasfraughtwithcertaindanger.However, HadhratNazimSahibrejectedthisviewandHadhratSaharanpriexpelledthestudent.Thefear whichHadhratShaikhhadvoicedimmediatelymaterialized.HadhratSaharanpribecamevery worriedandHadhratNazimSahibwasfullofregret.HadhratSaharanprisaid: MyQalandar(Sufi)hadopposedthisideafromthebeginning,butwedidnotheed. HadhratShaikhsaid: Hadhrat,donotworry.Makeduaandtawajjuh.InshaAllah,theproblemwillbesolved WithHadhratSaharanprisduaandtawajjuhthedifficultywasimmediatelyovercome. 3)OnnumerousoccasionsinHindustanaswellasinMadinahTayyibahwhenIwouldjoinHadhrat formeals,he(HadhratSaharanpri)wouldpresentsomedelicacytomewithutmostaffection.Inever tooknoticeofanythinginthisregardbecauseHadhratsaffectioninotherrespectswasmuchgreater. HoweverHadhratRaiprisaidtome: Ireallyenvyyou.WhenHadhratpresentssomethingtoyouforeating,hefirststaresatitintensely, thengivesittoyou.Iwishhewoulddothisformetoo. Thereafter,ItooobservedthatHadhratRaiprihadspokencorrectly.(AapBeti) 4)HadhratShaikhsaid: Myfatherwouldfrequentlysay: Zakariyyahrespectsmeforfearoftheshoe(i.e.gettingapaternalhiding)whileherespectshis Hadhratwithhisheart. 5)In1344HadhratSaharanprihadgonetoHijaaz.HadhratShaikhtoohadaccompaniedhim.Every timethatHadhratSaharanpriwentonthejourneytoHijaazheexpressedtheyearningandhopeof beingassignedtothesandofJannatulBaqi.Thus,thejourneyof1344washislast.In1346hewas buriedinthesandatJannatulBaqi. HadhratShaikhhadreturnedtoHindustanwhileHadhratSaharanpriwasstillalive.BeforeHadhrat ShaikhleftMadinahTayyibahtoreturn,HadhratSaharanpriconferredonhimthemantleof KhilaafateinallfourSilsilahsinelaboratestyle.HadhratSaharanpriremovedhisamaamah(turban) fromhishead.HandingittoMaulanaSayyidAhmad,theelderbrotherofHadhratAqdasMadani, HadhratSaharanprirequestedhimtotieitonHadhratZakariyyahshead.Atthatmomentpeople wereloudlysobbingonaccountofHadhratSaharanprisprofusecrying.HadhratShaikhalsoshed tears. HadhratShahAbdulQadirRaipriwaspresentonthisoccasion.Forfearofthisepisodebeing publicisedinHindustan,HadhratShaikhfellatthefeetofHadhratRaipriimploringhimnotto informanyoneinHindustan.But,HadhratRaipriwasnotpreparedtoconcealthisepisode.He publicisedtheappointmentanditsmethodinHindustan.Thentoo,HadhratShaikhrefusedtoaccept anyoneinbaytforalongtime.Hewouldreferthosewhocamewiththeintentionofbayt,toother Mashaikh.Finally,ontheinstructionofHadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyas,heinitiatedtheprocess ofbaytwhichoccurredinthefollowingway: OnceHadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyasandHadhratShaikhwenttoKandhlahtovisitrelativesand friends.OnreachingKandhlah,thewomenfolkofthehouseinsistedinHadhratMaulanaIlyasto instructHadhratShaikhtoacceptthemallinhisbayt.Hesentsomeonetotheneighbourhood

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MusjidtocallHadhratShaikh.Whenhereachedhome,hesensedtheangerofHadhratMaulana Ilyas.Healsoobservedthewomenfolkofthehomehadassembled.HadhratMaulanawassittingon abedwhiletheotherbedwasvacant.HadhratMaulanaremovedhisamaamahandgaveoneendinto HadhratShaikhshandandtheotherendhepassedtotheladies.Thenverysharplyhecommanded: Takethemintoyourbayt.WhenHadhratShaikhmumbledsomeexcuse,HadhratMaulana scoldedhimandorderedhimforthesecondtime:Quicklyinitiatethem.This,thenwasthe commencementofHadhratShaikhsprocessofinitiatingmureeds. 6)HadhratMaulanaShahAbdulQadirhadonanumberoftimespointedtoHadhratShaikhand MaulanaMuhammadYusufandsaid: Whereitwasourend,fromthereisyourbeginning. Frequentlyhesaid: Thematterofthisuncleandnephew(i.e.HadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyasandHadhratShaikh) issomethingdifferent. Onceheobserved: HadhratGangohisNisbaathasbeentransferredtoHadhratShaikh. (NisbaatmeansQurbeIlaahiortherelationshipofclosenesswithAllahTaalaTranslator)

HadhratShaikhsMarriages
HadhratShaikhhadmarriedtwice.Thesemarriageswillbebrieflydescribed. 1)WhenHadhratShaikhsfather,HadhratMaulanaMuhammadYahyapassedawayonthe19thThil Qadh1334,hismothersentamessagetoHadhratSaharanpriinwhichsheexpressedherdesireto seeHadhratZakariyyahsmarriagetakeplaceduringherlifetime.Sheindicatedthatherhealthwas notgoodandtherecouldbenorelianceonlife. AtthattimeHadhratShaikhwasalreadyengagedtothedaughterofMaulanaRaufulHasan.Hadhrat SaharanpriimmediatelywrotealettertotherelativesinKandhlahenquiringabouttheirintentionsin thisregard.ThereplycamethatthematterhasbeenlefttoHadhratsdiscretion.Ifhesowishes,a dateforthenikahcouldbefixedbyHadhrat. OnthedayfixedfortheNikah,HadhratSaharanpri,HadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyasandother seniorsarrivedinKandhlahandHadhratSaharanpriperformedtheNikahonSaturdaythe29thSafar 1335.AtthetimeoftheNikah,someoneindicatedthatthefamilysMehreMithlis80,000rupees. HadhratSaharanpriexclaimed:  TheNikahwasfinalisedonaMehrof1,500rupees. 2)AfterthedeathofHadhratShaikhsfirstwife,therewaspressureonhimfromallsidestoget marriedagain.But,onaccountofhisIlmipreoccupation,heignoredeveryadviceanddemandin thisregard.However,whenHadhratMaulanaMuhammadIlyasaskedhimtomarryhisdaughter, HadhratShaikhwasunabletorefuse.FinallytheNikahwasperformedbyHadhratMaulanaMadani onFriday,8thRabiuthThaani1356afterJumuahNamaaz.ThemehrfixedwasMehreFaatimi.The

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WalimahwaspreparedbyHadhratRaipri.

HadhratShaikhsHajjJourneys
AllahTaalabestoweduponHadhratShaikhthewealthofseveralHajj.AbriefaccountoftheHajj journeysofHadhratShaikhisbeingpresentedhere.Adetailedaccountofthesejourneyshavebeen givenbyHadhratShaikhhimself,inhisautobiography,AapBeti,Volume4. HisveryfirstHajjwasin1338HijriinthecompanyofHadhratSaharanpri.Thedeparturewason the2ndShabaan1338.Thefollowingarethenamesofsomeofthemembersofthegroup:Hadhrat Saharanpriandhiswife,HadhratMaulanaManzrAhmadKhan,HajiMaqbl,HajiAneesAhmad Ambhetwi,MolviMuhammadIshaqBarelwi,MaulanaLatiefurRahmanKandhalwiMutawali TufailAhmadandothers. OnarrivalatBombayitwaslearntthatthenumberofthoseaccompanyingHadhratwas approximatelytwohundred.Thisnumberhadincreasedconsiderablybythetimetheshipwassetto sail.HadhratSaharanprihadmissedtwoshipsbecauseallthecompanionscouldnotbe accommodatedonanyoneofthetwo,andhewantedthewholegrouptobetogether.Finally,the partyleftonboardtheshipwhichsailedon27thor28thShabaanandarrivedsafelyinJiddah.After adaysstayinJiddah,thepartyleftforMakkahMukarramah.ThemonthofRamadhaanul MubaarakwasspentinMakkah. (ThefurtherdetailsofthisHajjaswellasofthesecondandthirdHajjwhichwerealsointhe companyofHadhratSaharanpri,aredeletedheretoavoidrepetition.TheseHajjjourneyshave alreadybeendescribedinthesectiondealingwithHadhratMaulanaKhalilAhmadSaharanpri Translator) TheforthHajjwasundertakenontheinsistenceofHadhratMaulanaMuhammadYusuf.On6thThil Qadh1383,onSaturdaymorning,HadhratdepartedfromSahaaranpr.Onhiswayhevisited Jalalabad,ThaanabovanandJhanjhaanah.AfterMaghribhereachedNizaamuddinandleftfor BombayonThursday10thThilQadh.Onthe14thThilQadh,HadhratwentfromBombayto Jiddahbyplane.AfterAsr,heleftwithhispartywhichconsistedofalargenumberofassociates,for MakkahMukarramahandarrivedafterMaghrib.HeperformedSalaatinMadrasahSaulatiyyah. InMakkahhestayedattheresidenceofHadhratHajiImdadullahandMaulanaRahmatullah.Onthe 27thThilHajjheleftforMadinahMunawwarah.HeperformedZuhrNamaazatBadr.AfterAsr,the partywenttothegravesoftheMartyrsofBadr.MaghribandIshaNamaazwereperformedin MusjidAreesh.TheyreachedMadinahTayyibahonthemorningofthe28thThilHajj. InMadinahtheystayedinMadrasahUloomeShariyyah.Afterastayof20days,thepartyleftfor Jiddahonthe1stSafar1384.MaghribNamaazwasperformedinMusjidHudaibiyyah.Theyreached MakkahMukarramahatthetimeofIsha. Onthe8thofSafar1384,HadhratShaikhparticipatedintheTablighiIjtimaatheldatTaaifin MusjideIbnAbbaasandelsewhere.AtJiddahhestayedadayandparticipatedintheIjtimathere. Onthe19thJuly1963,HadhratfinallyreachedKandhlahandatthetimeofMaghribhewasbackin Sahaaranpr.

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Inviewofhissicknessandphysicaldisabilities,HadhratShaikhdidnotentertaintheideaofagain havingtheopportunityofHajj.Nevertheless,afterpersistentrequestsbyassociates,and performanceofseveralIstikhaarahNamaaz,arrangementsforhisHajjjourneyweremade. Consideringthesearrangementstobedivineassistance,HadhratShaikhembarkedonhisfifthHajj. Onthe10thThilQadh1384heleftforBombayandonthe30thFebruary1967heleftbyair, arrivinginJiddahafterZuhr,byMaghrib,hewasinMakkahMukarramah.HestayedinMadrasah Saulatiyyah.On21stThilHajj,justbeforeMaghrib,heleftforJiddahtoparticipateintheannual TablighiIjtima. Onthe24thThilHajjatthetimeofIshraaqheleftforMadinahTayyibah.InMadinah,Hadhrat stayedwithhiskhalifah,SufiIqbal.OnSaturday11thMuharram,inthemorning,heleftfrom MadinahandwenttoMakkahviaJiddah.HeperformedanUmrahonbehalfofhisShaikh,Hadhrat Saharanpri.Onthe30thApril,hereachedSahaaranprsafely. HissixthHajjwastheresultofMaulanaSayyidAbulHasanNadwisinsistence.HadhratShaikhleft SahaaranprwiththeintentionofUmrahonthe5thSafar1389.Onthe13thThilQadh1389hewas backinSaharanpr.

SomeSayingsofHadhratShaikh
1)Itisthesayingofourseniorsthatwhoeverlooksatourendwillbeunsuccessful,andwhoever looksatourbeginningwillbesuccessful,becausetheinitialperiodisthestageofmujaahadahwhile thefinalperiodisthestagefortheopeningofthedooroffuthaat(spiritualrealities).Ifanyone viewingthefinalstagefixesitasthestandard,hewillbeunsuccessful. 2)ItcomesintheHadiththattherearemanyofAllahsservantswithdishevelledhairandladenwith dust,whoarebuffetedfromthedoorsofpeople.IftheytakeanoathintheNameAllah(for somethingtohappen),Allahwillfulfilit. Bymeansofriyaadhatandmujaahadahthisrankcanbeattained. InanotherHadithitissaidthatbymeansofNaflSalaatamancanreachclosenesstoAllahTaala. ThisprocessbywayofNaflSalaatcontinuesuntilI(Allah)makehimmybeloved.Thereafter, whateverhedoeswillbeinconformitywithAllahspleasure. Indeed,Allahspathiseasytofollow.Experienceprovesthis. 3)Brother,whateveryoudo,doitforAllahspleasure.Don'tdoitforyourdesireandpleasure.Do atleastsomething.PractiseitinRamadhaanulMubaarak.Noneofourseniorssaysthatyoushould notbeemployed(i.e.earnaliving). 4)Rasulullah()saidthatthereare360jointsinthehumanbody.Whenmanrises safelyinthemorning,theningratitudeitisincumbenttogiveSadqahforeachjointshealthand safety.InthesameHadithitismentionedthatsexualrelationswithoneswifeisalsoSadqah.The Sahaabahsaidthatamanfulfilshisowndesirewithhiswife.What,therefore,istheSadqahinit? MayAllahTaalaelevatetheranksoftheSahaabah.Byaskingforexplanationsoninsignificant issues,theyhadinfactleftagreattreasurefortheUmmah.InanswertothisqueryoftheSahaabah, Rasulullah()said:

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Ifamanspendshisenergyinharam,willhenotbesinful? TheSahaabahsaid:Yes,mostcertainly. Rasulullah()said: Ifheengagesinrelationswithhiswifewiththeintentionofabstainingfromharamwhywillhenot berewarded? 5)Myfriends!SubmittoMalik(AllahTaala),thenallthingswillsubmittoyou.Youareawareof thestoriesoftheSahaabah.Once,therewasaneedfortheMuslimstosetupcampinoneofthe junglesofAfricawhichwasteemingwithwildanimals.HadhratUqbah,thecommanderofthe army,tookafewSahaabahwithhimtoaspotinthejungleandannounced: Owildbeasts!WearetheCompanionsofRasulullah(.)Weintendtosetupcamp here.Vacatefromhere.Afterthis,weshallkillwhomeverwefind. Wasthisanannouncementorsomeboltoflighting?Theanimalstakingtheirlittleonesimmediately left. 6)Itismyexperiencethatfastingproducesstrengthwhileabstainingfromfoodduringothermonths (otherthanRamadhaan)producesweakness. 7)MyHadhratAqdasSaharanprisaidthatintheQuraanMajeedAllahTaalasays: Ifyouenumeratethenimat(bounty)ofAllah,youwillnotbeabletoenumerateit. Herethesingular(i.e.nimat)isusedbecauseinevenasinglenimattherearemanybounties. 8)Whateveryoudo,doitforAllahspleasure.TheNamaazwhichisperformedtoshowotherswill bestruckbackonyourface. 9)Towardstheendofhislife,HadhratGangohilosthiseyesight.Myfatherwastheclosekhaadim ofHadhratGangohi.OnceImaamRabbaniaskedmyfather:MolviYahya,whoallarehere? WheneverHadhratImaamRabbaniwantedtosaysomethingimportant,hewouldposethisquestion. Myfathersaid:IlyasandI.ImaamRabbanithensaidwithmuchenthusiasm: Irrespectiveoftheindifference(ghaflat)withwhichAllahsNameistaken,itwillexerciseits effect. Thisisalsomyopinion.AkaafirbecomesaMuslimbytakingAllahsName.Ifitisrecitedwith conviction,iteffaceskufr.However,inthebeginningthethaakireenarediligentandtheyexperience goodstates(haalaat).Thisisaverydelicatestage.Oneshouldnotbedeceivedbyit.Whentheheart becomesaccustomedtothikr,thosehaalaatdecrease.Oneshouldnotdespaironaccountofthis(i.e. thedecreaseintheinitialpleasurablestates). 10)Abstainfromadoptingthedressandappearanceofaliens(i.e.nonMuslims).WeMuslims shouldadopttheIslamicdressstyleofourMashaikh.Tenorfifteenyearsagoitwasmyfatwathat peoplewearingtightfittinggarmentsshouldstandinthelastsaff. 11)Itbecomeseasytodosomethingwhichhasbecomegroundedintheheart.Ithasbeenheardthat peoplewatchingcinema,stoodtheentirenightuntilthemorning.Ifwesaythatacertainbuzrug performedFajrNamaazwithIshaswudhuperformingTahajjudtheentirenightthenpeopleare astonished.Thebasisforsuchenduranceiseagernessandenthusiasm.

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12)Youengageinthikrullahhere.Butafterleavingfromhere,peoplewritecomplainingthatthe sameeffectsarenotexperienced.Ifyouestablishtheenvironmentofthisplaceoverthere,those effectswillremain.Overherearetheeffectsoftheenvironment.PunctualadherencetoMamlaat (Ibaadatpractices)istheladderofprogress. 13)SaveupinthebankoftheAkhirahwhateverthereistosave.TheUlamaandtheMashaikh(of thisage)areinvolvedinevilgazes,evildeedsandineverykindofsin.Infact,weregardgheebatto benothing(i.e.notsinful).Thefourthchapterof(thekitaab)Itidaalisworthyofstudying. 14)Theaimoftablighiworkistodeveloppiety.

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